Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[khmo]

I would not advise playing with Clostridium should that be the cause.

---
John and Sue Gregoire
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818-9626
"Conserve and Create Habitat"
N 42.44307 W 76.75784 
On 2020-06-01 12:45, Suan Hsi Yong wrote:

> Would any local facility be willing to do a necropsy if someone were willing 
> to retrieve the bodies? 
> 
> Suan 
> 
> On Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 8:29 AM Gary Kohlenberg  wrote: 
> 
> Thanks John and Sue,  
> 
> What would the likelihood of botulism be in your opinion? The issues MNWR had 
> were some years ago and I don't know how prevalent it is.  
> 
> Gary  
> 
> On Jun 1, 2020, at 6:37 AM, "k...@empireaccess.net"  
> wrote:
> 
> You folks know that area and the ducks but, as most ducks sleep on the water, 
> the idea of a terrestrial predator doesn't fly. Snappers may scoop up 
> numerous ducklings and goslings and can attack an adult but not several. I 
> wouldn't put away the human possibility.
> John
> 
> ---
> John and Sue Gregoire
> 5373 Fitzgerald Rd
> Burdett, NY 14818-9626
> "Conserve and Create Habitat"
> N 42.44307 W 76.75784 
> On 2020-05-31 20:26, John and Fritzie Blizzard wrote: 
> 
> Are any of you considering a night-time attack when the ducks would have been 
> asleep & not aware of danger from owl or weasel? I agree with Chris. 
> 
> Fritzie Bllizzard On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. 
> Tessaglia-Hymes  wrote:
> 
>  Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret. 
> 
> This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
> TheyâEUR(tm)ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, 
> severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> Sincerely,
> Chris T-H

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[khmo]

Gary, avian botulism is common in migratory ducks. The organism is in
the soil built up by decaying vegetation and marine life. From what I
remember mallards are particularly susceptible. Human feeding junk like
bread may also contribute. It is a paralytic disease and the cause is
ingestion of Clostridium botulinum. That's an anaerobe in the form of a
spore forming rod. I think it's gram positive. Given your description of
the presentation and the habitat it looks like a very probable
condition. As to how and where they ingested the toxin, I've no idea.
John

---
John and Sue Gregoire
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818-9626
"Conserve and Create Habitat"
N 42.44307 W 76.75784 
On 2020-06-01 12:29, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:

> Thanks John and Sue,  
> 
> What would the likelihood of botulism be in your opinion? The issues MNWR had 
> were some years ago and I don't know how prevalent it is.  
> 
> Gary  
> 
> On Jun 1, 2020, at 6:37 AM, "k...@empireaccess.net"  
> wrote:
> 
> You folks know that area and the ducks but, as most ducks sleep on the water, 
> the idea of a terrestrial predator doesn't fly. Snappers may scoop up 
> numerous ducklings and goslings and can attack an adult but not several. I 
> wouldn't put away the human possibility.
> John
> 
> ---
> John and Sue Gregoire
> 5373 Fitzgerald Rd
> Burdett, NY 14818-9626
> "Conserve and Create Habitat"
> N 42.44307 W 76.75784 
> On 2020-05-31 20:26, John and Fritzie Blizzard wrote: 
> 
> Are any of you considering a night-time attack when the ducks would have been 
> asleep & not aware of danger from owl or weasel? I agree with Chris. 
> 
> Fritzie Bllizzard On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. 
> Tessaglia-Hymes  wrote:
> 
>  Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret. 
> 
> This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
> TheyâEUR(tm)ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, 
> severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> Sincerely,
> Chris T-H

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FW: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Rosalie V Borzik]

Are there any mink in the area?  (possible if there is a stream or other body 
of water nearby; I’ve seen mink in and around Virgil Creek in Freeville)

Mink often kill and cache, but on the Maine seabird islands they also leave 
incubating tern adults on the nest after they’ve killed them with a single bite 
to the back of the neck.

I didn’t catch the original emails about this, but after reading the latter 
part of the conversation, my mind flashed back to seeing “killing fields” left 
in a nesting tern colony.

Rose Borzik

From: 
bounce-124669159-24907...@list.cornell.edu<mailto:bounce-124669159-24907...@list.cornell.edu>
 
mailto:bounce-124669159-24907...@list.cornell.edu>>
 On Behalf Of Gary Kohlenberg
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2020 1:23 PM
To: Andrew David Miller 
mailto:andrew.mil...@cornell.edu>>
Cc: Suan Hsi Yong mailto:suan.y...@gmail.com>>; 
CAYUGABIRDS-L 
mailto:cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu>>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

Thanks Andrew,
I copied below the response I just received from Jenny Landry at DEC.
She has kindly forwarded my email to Region 7 for a possible follow up and/or 
collection.
Gary

Gary,

The behavior you describe sounds a bit like botulism and perhaps there was some 
predation. I seems  too early in the season for Type E (and even C), although 
we did have a short spell of very hot weather. I am not that familiar with the 
location. I am forwarding your email to the Wildlife Manager in Region 7.  It 
sounds like there are a handful of birds and it has been fairly cool the last 
few days. If the birds are still there, accessible, and in decent condition, 
the Region 7 folks may want try to collect some for our pathology folks to 
examine.

Jenny A. Landry
Ecologist I
Region 8 Bureau of Wildlife
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
6274 East Avon-Lima Road
Avon, NY 14414

On Jun 1, 2020, at 8:58 AM, Andrew David Miller 
mailto:andrew.mil...@cornell.edu>> wrote:

Any dead wildlife in New York State can be submitted to the NYS wildlife health 
unit if the circumstances are appropriate.  There is a facility in Delmar as 
well as one here associated with the NYS diagnostic laboratory next to the 
veterinary college.  However, the reporting and submission of any dead wildlife 
needs to be done through the DEC.  Details can be found here:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6957.html

The regional DEC office will be able to provide more information.  I must 
stress that picking up dead wildlife should be avoided by members of the 
public.  Many animals harbor zoonotic diseases, some of which can still be 
transmitted to humans even after death. Report the mallards to the DEC regional 
office and they will take it from there.

-Andrew


Andrew D. Miller DVM, Dipl. ACVP
Associate Professor
Biomedical Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology

From: 
bounce-124668162-61975...@list.cornell.edu<mailto:bounce-124668162-61975...@list.cornell.edu>
 
mailto:bounce-124668162-61975...@list.cornell.edu>>
 On Behalf Of Suan Hsi Yong
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2020 8:45 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
mailto:cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu>>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

Would any local facility be willing to do a necropsy if someone were willing to 
retrieve the bodies?

Suan

On Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 8:29 AM Gary Kohlenberg 
mailto:jg...@cornell.edu>> wrote:
Thanks John and Sue,

What would the likelihood of botulism be in your opinion? The issues MNWR had 
were some years ago and I don’t know how prevalent it is.

Gary

On Jun 1, 2020, at 6:37 AM, 
"k...@empireaccess.net<mailto:k...@empireaccess.net>" 
mailto:k...@empireaccess.net>> wrote:


You folks know that area and the ducks but, as most ducks sleep on the water, 
the idea of a terrestrial predator doesn't fly. Snappers may scoop up numerous 
ducklings and goslings and can attack an adult but not several. I wouldn't put 
away the human possibility.
John
---
John and Sue Gregoire
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818-9626
"Conserve and Create Habitat"
N 42.44307 W 76.75784



On 2020-05-31 20:26, John and Fritzie Blizzard wrote:

Are any of you considering a night-time attack when the ducks would have been 
asleep & not aware of danger from owl or weasel? I agree with Chris.

Fritzie Bllizzard
On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
<mailto:c...@cornell.edu> wrote:

 Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.

This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, 
severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Chris T-H




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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Gary Kohlenberg]

Thanks Andrew,
I copied below the response I just received from Jenny Landry at DEC.
She has kindly forwarded my email to Region 7 for a possible follow up and/or 
collection.
Gary

Gary,

The behavior you describe sounds a bit like botulism and perhaps there was some 
predation. I seems  too early in the season for Type E (and even C), although 
we did have a short spell of very hot weather. I am not that familiar with the 
location. I am forwarding your email to the Wildlife Manager in Region 7.  It 
sounds like there are a handful of birds and it has been fairly cool the last 
few days. If the birds are still there, accessible, and in decent condition, 
the Region 7 folks may want try to collect some for our pathology folks to 
examine.

Jenny A. Landry
Ecologist I
Region 8 Bureau of Wildlife
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
6274 East Avon-Lima Road
Avon, NY 14414

On Jun 1, 2020, at 8:58 AM, Andrew David Miller  
wrote:


Any dead wildlife in New York State can be submitted to the NYS wildlife health 
unit if the circumstances are appropriate.  There is a facility in Delmar as 
well as one here associated with the NYS diagnostic laboratory next to the 
veterinary college.  However, the reporting and submission of any dead wildlife 
needs to be done through the DEC.  Details can be found here:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6957.html

The regional DEC office will be able to provide more information.  I must 
stress that picking up dead wildlife should be avoided by members of the 
public.  Many animals harbor zoonotic diseases, some of which can still be 
transmitted to humans even after death. Report the mallards to the DEC regional 
office and they will take it from there.

-Andrew


Andrew D. Miller DVM, Dipl. ACVP
Associate Professor
Biomedical Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology

From: bounce-124668162-61975...@list.cornell.edu 
 On Behalf Of Suan Hsi Yong
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2020 8:45 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

Would any local facility be willing to do a necropsy if someone were willing to 
retrieve the bodies?

Suan

On Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 8:29 AM Gary Kohlenberg 
mailto:jg...@cornell.edu>> wrote:
Thanks John and Sue,

What would the likelihood of botulism be in your opinion? The issues MNWR had 
were some years ago and I don’t know how prevalent it is.

Gary

On Jun 1, 2020, at 6:37 AM, 
"k...@empireaccess.net<mailto:k...@empireaccess.net>" 
mailto:k...@empireaccess.net>> wrote:


You folks know that area and the ducks but, as most ducks sleep on the water, 
the idea of a terrestrial predator doesn't fly. Snappers may scoop up numerous 
ducklings and goslings and can attack an adult but not several. I wouldn't put 
away the human possibility.
John
---
John and Sue Gregoire
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818-9626
"Conserve and Create Habitat"
N 42.44307 W 76.75784



On 2020-05-31 20:26, John and Fritzie Blizzard wrote:

Are any of you considering a night-time attack when the ducks would have been 
asleep & not aware of danger from owl or weasel? I agree with Chris.

Fritzie Bllizzard
On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
<mailto:c...@cornell.edu> wrote:

 Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.

This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, 
severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Chris T-H




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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Andrew David Miller]

Any dead wildlife in New York State can be submitted to the NYS wildlife health 
unit if the circumstances are appropriate.  There is a facility in Delmar as 
well as one here associated with the NYS diagnostic laboratory next to the 
veterinary college.  However, the reporting and submission of any dead wildlife 
needs to be done through the DEC.  Details can be found here:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6957.html

The regional DEC office will be able to provide more information.  I must 
stress that picking up dead wildlife should be avoided by members of the 
public.  Many animals harbor zoonotic diseases, some of which can still be 
transmitted to humans even after death. Report the mallards to the DEC regional 
office and they will take it from there.

-Andrew


Andrew D. Miller DVM, Dipl. ACVP
Associate Professor
Biomedical Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology

From: bounce-124668162-61975...@list.cornell.edu 
 On Behalf Of Suan Hsi Yong
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2020 8:45 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

Would any local facility be willing to do a necropsy if someone were willing to 
retrieve the bodies?

Suan

On Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 8:29 AM Gary Kohlenberg 
mailto:jg...@cornell.edu>> wrote:
Thanks John and Sue,

What would the likelihood of botulism be in your opinion? The issues MNWR had 
were some years ago and I don’t know how prevalent it is.

Gary

On Jun 1, 2020, at 6:37 AM, 
"k...@empireaccess.net<mailto:k...@empireaccess.net>" 
mailto:k...@empireaccess.net>> wrote:


You folks know that area and the ducks but, as most ducks sleep on the water, 
the idea of a terrestrial predator doesn't fly. Snappers may scoop up numerous 
ducklings and goslings and can attack an adult but not several. I wouldn't put 
away the human possibility.
John
---
John and Sue Gregoire
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818-9626
"Conserve and Create Habitat"
N 42.44307 W 76.75784



On 2020-05-31 20:26, John and Fritzie Blizzard wrote:

Are any of you considering a night-time attack when the ducks would have been 
asleep & not aware of danger from owl or weasel? I agree with Chris.

Fritzie Bllizzard
On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
<mailto:c...@cornell.edu> wrote:

 Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.

This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, 
severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Chris T-H




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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Suan Hsi Yong]

Would any local facility be willing to do a necropsy if someone were
willing to retrieve the bodies?

Suan

On Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 8:29 AM Gary Kohlenberg  wrote:

> Thanks John and Sue,
>
> What would the likelihood of botulism be in your opinion? The issues MNWR
> had were some years ago and I don’t know how prevalent it is.
>
> Gary
>
> On Jun 1, 2020, at 6:37 AM, "k...@empireaccess.net" 
> wrote:
>
> 
>
> You folks know that area and the ducks but, as most ducks sleep on the
> water, the idea of a terrestrial predator doesn't fly. Snappers may scoop
> up numerous ducklings and goslings and can attack an adult but not several.
> I wouldn't put away the human possibility.
> John
> ---
> John and Sue Gregoire
> 5373 Fitzgerald Rd
> Burdett, NY 14818-9626
> "Conserve and Create Habitat"
> N 42.44307 W 76.75784
>
> On 2020-05-31 20:26, John and Fritzie Blizzard wrote:
>
> Are any of you considering a night-time attack when the ducks would have
> been asleep & not aware of danger from owl or weasel? I agree with Chris.
>
> Fritzie Bllizzard
>
> On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes
>   wrote:
>
>  Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.
>
> This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids.
> They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night,
> severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Sincerely,
> Chris T-H
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:*
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> Rules and Information 
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Gary Kohlenberg]

Thanks John and Sue,

What would the likelihood of botulism be in your opinion? The issues MNWR had 
were some years ago and I don’t know how prevalent it is.

Gary

On Jun 1, 2020, at 6:37 AM, "k...@empireaccess.net"  
wrote:



You folks know that area and the ducks but, as most ducks sleep on the water, 
the idea of a terrestrial predator doesn't fly. Snappers may scoop up numerous 
ducklings and goslings and can attack an adult but not several. I wouldn't put 
away the human possibility.
John

---
John and Sue Gregoire
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818-9626
"Conserve and Create Habitat"
N 42.44307 W 76.75784


On 2020-05-31 20:26, John and Fritzie Blizzard wrote:

Are any of you considering a night-time attack when the ducks would have been 
asleep & not aware of danger from owl or weasel? I agree with Chris.

Fritzie Bllizzard

On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
 wrote:

 Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.

This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, 
severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Chris T-H





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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[khmo]

You folks know that area and the ducks but, as most ducks sleep on the
water, the idea of a terrestrial predator doesn't fly. Snappers may
scoop up numerous ducklings and goslings and can attack an adult but not
several. I wouldn't put away the human possibility.
John

---
John and Sue Gregoire
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818-9626
"Conserve and Create Habitat"
N 42.44307 W 76.75784 
On 2020-05-31 20:26, John and Fritzie Blizzard wrote:

> Are any of you considering a night-time attack when the ducks would have been 
> asleep & not aware of danger from owl or weasel? I agree with Chris. 
> 
> Fritzie Bllizzard On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. 
> Tessaglia-Hymes  wrote:
> 
>  Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret. 
> 
> This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
> TheyâEUR(tm)ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, 
> severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> Sincerely,
> Chris T-H

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Peter Saracino]

Last year while doing our weekly survey at the refuge, Jackie Bakker and I
watched as a great blue heron patiently worked at swallowing a muskrat
whole!!
All that was left to go down were the feet- at which point the bird coughed
the entire rat up and out.only to start over. At another time, Reuben
Stofus and I watched as a great blue was having a pi-billed grebe for lunch.
I guess it's literally "dog-eat-dig out there
Pete Sar

On Sun, May 31, 2020, 7:34 PM Glenn Wilson  wrote:

> We watched a turtle grab a Pied-billed Grebe and pull it under. It got
> free and the turtle did it again. The second time, the Grebe flew away
>
> Glenn Wilson
> Endicott, NY
> www.WilsonsWarbler.com
>
> On May 31, 2020, at 2:40 PM, Linda Post Van Buskirk 
> wrote:
>
> 
> Consider the snapping turtle as a possibility.  They have been known to
> attack mature ducks as well as to take ducklings, which is more common.
> --
> *From:* bounce-124666854-3493...@list.cornell.edu <
> bounce-124666854-3493...@list.cornell.edu> on behalf of Gary Kohlenberg <
> jg...@cornell.edu>
> *Sent:* Sunday, May 31, 2020 2:29 PM
> *To:* Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
> *Cc:* Sandy Podulka ; CAYUGABIRDS-L <
> cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30
>
> I hadn’t thought of Mustelid or Possum as Wes suggested as a culprit.
>
> As only one bird lost his head that could be predation after death. One
> other bird dead with head attached and another dying with possible neck
> issues makes the suggestion of botulism by Kevin Cummings and Morgan
> Hapeman interesting. I know Montezuma has had problems with this in the
> past. The water in Shindagin is pretty stagnant which could be a problem.
> It also better answers the unlikely idea of multiple birds shot in such a
> manner.
>
> Gary
>
> On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes <
> c...@cornell.edu> wrote:
>
>  Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.
>
> This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids.
> They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night,
> severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Sincerely,
> Chris T-H
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
> On May 31, 2020, at 11:07, Sandy Podulka  wrote:
>
> That is also one of my favorite places!
>
> I have seen 4 male Mallards in that small pond consistently this spring
> (but not today, and I guess I now know why).
> I have no idea what could kill so many birds in such an odd way except a
> hunter, or maybe a group of hunters--I would think an owl wouldn't have a
> chance at all of them at once, as the others would fly off.
>
> So sorry to hear this. As we are learning in so many ways these days,
> people can be truly cruel.
>
> Sandy Podulka
>
> At 10:08 AM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:
>
> Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State
> Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and to
> show her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the
> beaver pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of the
> Adirondacks and is a favorite of mine.
>
> There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and
> mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of
> dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how
> popular this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.
>
> We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t
> make it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle,
> that they are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help
> a couple on the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t
> need any intervention.
>
> We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a
> dead male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find
> it had no head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and
> guessed maybe an owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls
> would or could do this, but seem to remember some discussion about this. If
> anyone knows if it can be a thing please enlighten me.
>
> I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard
> struggling in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater
> unable to lift it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to
> reach the poor guy to end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found
> a third male Mallard floating 

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Glenn Wilson]

We watched a turtle grab a Pied-billed Grebe and pull it under. It got free and 
the turtle did it again. The second time, the Grebe flew away

Glenn Wilson
Endicott, NY
www.WilsonsWarbler.com

On May 31, 2020, at 2:40 PM, Linda Post Van Buskirk  wrote:


Consider the snapping turtle as a possibility.  They have been known to attack 
mature ducks as well as to take ducklings, which is more common.  
From: bounce-124666854-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of Gary Kohlenberg 

Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2020 2:29 PM
To: Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
Cc: Sandy Podulka ; CAYUGABIRDS-L 

Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30
 
I hadn’t thought of Mustelid or Possum as Wes suggested as a culprit. 

As only one bird lost his head that could be predation after death. One other 
bird dead with head attached and another dying with possible neck issues makes 
the suggestion of botulism by Kevin Cummings and Morgan Hapeman interesting. I 
know Montezuma has had problems with this in the past. The water in Shindagin 
is pretty stagnant which could be a problem. It also better answers the 
unlikely idea of multiple birds shot in such a manner. 
 
Gary 

On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes  
wrote:

 Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.

This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, severing 
heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Chris T-H

Sent from my iPhone



> On May 31, 2020, at 11:07, Sandy Podulka  wrote:
> 
> That is also one of my favorite places!
> 
> I have seen 4 male Mallards in that small pond consistently this spring (but 
> not today, and I guess I now know why).
> I have no idea what could kill so many birds in such an odd way except a 
> hunter, or maybe a group of hunters--I would think an owl wouldn't have a 
> chance at all of them at once, as the others would fly off. 
> 
> So sorry to hear this. As we are learning in so many ways these days, people 
> can be truly cruel.
> 
> Sandy Podulka
> 
> At 10:08 AM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:
>> Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State 
>> Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and to 
>> show her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the 
>> beaver pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of the 
>> Adirondacks and is a favorite of mine. 
>> 
>> There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and 
>> mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of 
>> dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how 
>> popular this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic. 
>> 
>> We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t 
>> make it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle, 
>> that they are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help a 
>> couple on the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t need 
>> any intervention.
>> 
>> We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a 
>> dead male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find it 
>> had no head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and 
>> guessed maybe an owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls 
>> would or could do this, but seem to remember some discussion about this. If 
>> anyone knows if it can be a thing please enlighten me. 
>>  
>> I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard 
>> struggling in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater 
>> unable to lift it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to 
>> reach the poor guy to end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found 
>> a third male Mallard floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any more, but 
>> there could have been one in the grass. Three seems like a typical total for 
>> this small water to hold on any particular day. 
>> 
>> My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the water with a shotgun. To 
>> cleanly decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at very close range. The 
>> other birds could have all been hit with the same shot if they had been 
>> swimming very together. This water is very small and birds not hit would 
>> have flown and probably circled around. It’s not likely they would have 
>> been shot in the air and fallen back into this small area.
>>  
>> This poaching event is very disturbing and 

Re:[cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[John and Fritzie Blizzard]

Are any of you considering a night-time attack when the ducks would have 
been asleep & not aware of danger from owl or weasel? I agree with Chris.

Fritzie Bllizzard

>> On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
>>  wrote:
>>
>>  Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or 
>> ferret.
>>
>> This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these 
>> Mustelids. They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of 
>> chickens in a night, severing heads with minimal disruption to the 
>> rest of the body.
>>
>> Thoughts?
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Chris T-H
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Sandy Podulka]

I can understand how a predator can get a bunch 
of chickens in a cage, but in the wild, after it 
got one, I think the others would fly away. So a 
predator getting them all seems unlikely to me. 
Am I missing something? Gary's suggestion here makes sense.

Sandy

At 02:29 PM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:
>I hadn’t thought of Mustelid or Possum as Wes suggested as a culprit.
>
>As only one bird lost his head that could be 
>predation after death. One other bird dead with 
>head attached and another dying with possible 
>neck issues makes the suggestion of botulism by 
>Kevin Cummings and Morgan Hapeman interesting. I 
>know Montezuma has had problems with this in the 
>past. The water in Shindagin is pretty stagnant 
>which could be a problem. It also better answers 
>the unlikely idea of multiple birds shot in such a manner.
>
>Gary
>
>On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. 
>Tessaglia-Hymes  wrote:
>
> Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.
>
>This is, as I understand it, classic kill method 
>used by these Mustelids. They’ve been know to 
>kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, 
>severing heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.
>
>Thoughts?
>
>Sincerely,
>Chris T-H
>
>Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
>On May 31, 2020, at 11:07, Sandy Podulka 
><s...@cornell.edu> wrote:
>
>>That is also one of my favorite places!
>>
>>I have seen 4 male Mallards in that small pond 
>>consistently this spring (but not today, and I guess I now know why).
>>I have no idea what could kill so many birds in 
>>such an odd way except a hunter, or maybe a 
>>group of hunters--I would think an owl wouldn't 
>>have a chance at all of them at once, as the others would fly off.
>>
>>So sorry to hear this. As we are learning in so 
>>many ways these days, people can be truly cruel.
>>
>>Sandy Podulka
>>
>>At 10:08 AM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:
>>>Saturday I walked with my daughter down 
>>>Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State Forest, to 
>>>the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for 
>>>exercise, fun and to show her the area. It was 
>>>very birdy and beautiful as usual especially 
>>>the beaver pond at the bottom of the hill. 
>>>This place always reminds me of the Adirondacks and is a favorite of mine.
>>>
>>>There was a surprising amount of traffic on 
>>>Shindagin Rd. both cars and mountain bikers 
>>>savoring the nice day. Some out of state 
>>>plates on cars of dozens parked at the 
>>>intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded 
>>>how popular this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.
>>>
>>>We were amazed at how many Red Newts were 
>>>crossing the road. Some didn’t make it it 
>>>unharmed, but most of them did. I learned 
>>>about their life cycle, that they are toxic, 
>>>but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried 
>>>to help a couple on the journey, but they are 
>>>very independent minded and don’t need ed any intervention.
>>>
>>>We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the 
>>>outflow pipe under the road; a dead male 
>>>Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting 
>>>and checked to find it had no head. I thought 
>>>that was weird, but I have seen it before, and 
>>>guessed maybe an owl had decapitated it. 
>>>I’m not actually positive owls would or 
>>>coucould do this, but seem to remember some 
>>>discussion about this. If anyone knows if it 
>>>can be a thing please enlighten me.
>>>
>>>I scanned the pond and saw movement which was 
>>>another male Mallard struggling in the water. 
>>>His body floated with the head hanging 
>>>underwater unable to lift it up. He may have 
>>>had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to reach 
>>>the poor guy to end his misery whichh made me 
>>>sad. More scanning found a third male Mallard 
>>>floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any 
>>>more, e, but there could have been one in the 
>>>grass. Three seems like a typical total for 
>>>this small water to hold on any particular day.
>>>
>>>My hypothesis is that they were all shot on 
>>>the water with a shotgun. To cleanly 
>>>decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at 
>>>very close range. The other birds could have 
>>>all been hit with the same shot if they had 
>>>been swimming very together. This water is 
>>>very small and birds not hit would have flown 
>>>and probably circled around. It’s not 
>>>likely they would ld have been shot in the air 
>>>and fallen back into this small area.
>>>
>>>This poaching event is very disturbing and we 
>>>had another event like this in the same 
>>>general area. I’m thinking of the eagle 
>>>shooting over er bait. No hunter would shoot 
>>>birds in a barrel or sitting on the water even 
>>>in season. In my opinion this is just criminal at any time.
>>>
>>>We all have bigger social troubles overall, 
>>>but felt compelled to document this as a 
>>>complete view of birding in the finger lakes. The little things still go on.
>>>
>>>Happier birding today,

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Linda Post Van Buskirk]

Consider the snapping turtle as a possibility.  They have been known to attack 
mature ducks as well as to take ducklings, which is more common.

From: bounce-124666854-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of Gary Kohlenberg 

Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2020 2:29 PM
To: Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
Cc: Sandy Podulka ; CAYUGABIRDS-L 

Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

I hadn’t thought of Mustelid or Possum as Wes suggested as a culprit.

As only one bird lost his head that could be predation after death. One other 
bird dead with head attached and another dying with possible neck issues makes 
the suggestion of botulism by Kevin Cummings and Morgan Hapeman interesting. I 
know Montezuma has had problems with this in the past. The water in Shindagin 
is pretty stagnant which could be a problem. It also better answers the 
unlikely idea of multiple birds shot in such a manner.

Gary

On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes  
wrote:

 Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.

This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, severing 
heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Chris T-H

Sent from my iPhone



On May 31, 2020, at 11:07, Sandy Podulka 
mailto:s...@cornell.edu>> wrote:

That is also one of my favorite places!

I have seen 4 male Mallards in that small pond consistently this spring (but 
not today, and I guess I now know why).
I have no idea what could kill so many birds in such an odd way except a 
hunter, or maybe a group of hunters--I would think an owl wouldn't have a 
chance at all of them at once, as the others would fly off.

So sorry to hear this. As we are learning in so many ways these days, people 
can be truly cruel.

Sandy Podulka

At 10:08 AM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:
Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State 
Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and to show 
her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the beaver 
pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of the Adirondacks 
and is a favorite of mine.

There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and 
mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of 
dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how popular 
this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.

We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t make 
it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle, that they 
are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help a couple on 
the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t need any 
intervention.

We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a dead 
male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find it had no 
head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and guessed maybe an 
owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls would or could do 
this, but seem to remember some discussion about this. If anyone knows if it 
can be a thing please enlighten me.

I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard struggling 
in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater unable to lift 
it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to reach the poor guy to 
end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found a third male Mallard 
floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any more, but there could have been 
one in the grass. Three seems like a typical total for this small water to hold 
on any particular day.

My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the water with a shotgun. To 
cleanly decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at very close range. The 
other birds could have all been hit with the same shot if they had been 
swimming very together. This water is very small and birds not hit would have 
flown and probably circled around. It’s not likely they would have been shot 
in the air and fallen back into this small area.

This poaching event is very disturbing and we had another event like this in 
the same general area. I’m thinking of the eagle shooting over bait. No 
hunter would shoot birds in a barrel or sitting on the water even in season. In 
my opinion this is just criminal at any time.

We all have bigger social troubles overall, but felt compelled to document this 
as a complete view of birding in the finger lakes. The little things still go 
on.

Happier birding today,

Gary








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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Gary Kohlenberg]

I hadn’t thought of Mustelid or Possum as Wes suggested as a culprit.

As only one bird lost his head that could be predation after death. One other 
bird dead with head attached and another dying with possible neck issues makes 
the suggestion of botulism by Kevin Cummings and Morgan Hapeman interesting. I 
know Montezuma has had problems with this in the past. The water in Shindagin 
is pretty stagnant which could be a problem. It also better answers the 
unlikely idea of multiple birds shot in such a manner.

Gary

On May 31, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes  
wrote:

 Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.

This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, severing 
heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Chris T-H

Sent from my iPhone



On May 31, 2020, at 11:07, Sandy Podulka 
mailto:s...@cornell.edu>> wrote:

That is also one of my favorite places!

I have seen 4 male Mallards in that small pond consistently this spring (but 
not today, and I guess I now know why).
I have no idea what could kill so many birds in such an odd way except a 
hunter, or maybe a group of hunters--I would think an owl wouldn't have a 
chance at all of them at once, as the others would fly off.

So sorry to hear this. As we are learning in so many ways these days, people 
can be truly cruel.

Sandy Podulka

At 10:08 AM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:
Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State 
Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and to show 
her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the beaver 
pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of the Adirondacks 
and is a favorite of mine.

There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and 
mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of 
dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how popular 
this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.

We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t make 
it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle, that they 
are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help a couple on 
the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t need any 
intervention.

We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a dead 
male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find it had no 
head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and guessed maybe an 
owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls would or could do 
this, but seem to remember some discussion about this. If anyone knows if it 
can be a thing please enlighten me.

I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard struggling 
in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater unable to lift 
it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to reach the poor guy to 
end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found a third male Mallard 
floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any more, but there could have been 
one in the grass. Three seems like a typical total for this small water to hold 
on any particular day.

My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the water with a shotgun. To 
cleanly decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at very close range. The 
other birds could have all been hit with the same shot if they had been 
swimming very together. This water is very small and birds not hit would have 
flown and probably circled around. It’s not likely they would have been shot 
in the air and fallen back into this small area.

This poaching event is very disturbing and we had another event like this in 
the same general area. I’m thinking of the eagle shooting over bait. No 
hunter would shoot birds in a barrel or sitting on the water even in season. In 
my opinion this is just criminal at any time.

We all have bigger social troubles overall, but felt compelled to document this 
as a complete view of birding in the finger lakes. The little things still go 
on.

Happier birding today,

Gary








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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Wes Blauvelt]

I would add opossum to the lineup of possible perpetrators..they too
favor heads and will make quick work of your chickens.

On Sun, May 31, 2020 at 12:28 PM Jody Enck  wrote:

> Hi Gary and all,
>
> So sorry you came upon this scene.  However, it definitely does not sound
> like a shooting incident.  As a duck hunter myself, I will say that you
> would need to be within 5 or 6 feet (maybe less) in order to take the head
> off a duck via a shot.  At even 10-12 feet, the shotgun pellets start
> spreading out enough that it would be virtually impossible for the duck to
> lose its head.  Great Horned Owls can and do take heads off of birds
> (notoriously off of pheasants), but multiple birds having similar fates
> does suggest a mustelid, as others have mentioned.
>
> Jody
> Jody W. Enck, PhD
> Conservation Social Scientist, and
> Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network
> 607-379-5940
>
>
> On Sun, May 31, 2020 at 10:08 AM Gary Kohlenberg 
> wrote:
>
>> Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the
>> State Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and
>> to show her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially
>> the beaver pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of
>> the Adirondacks and is a favorite of mine.
>>
>> There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and
>> mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of
>> dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how
>> popular this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.
>>
>> We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t
>> make it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle,
>> that they are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help
>> a couple on the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t
>> need any intervention.
>>
>> We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a
>> dead male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find
>> it had no head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and
>> guessed maybe an owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls
>> would or could do this, but seem to remember some discussion about this. If
>> anyone knows if it can be a thing please enlighten me.
>>
>> I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard
>> struggling in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater
>> unable to lift it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to reach
>> the poor guy to end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found a
>> third male Mallard floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any more, but
>> there could have been one in the grass. Three seems like a typical total
>> for this small water to hold on any particular day.
>>
>> My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the water with a shotgun. To
>> cleanly decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at very close range.
>> The other birds could have all been hit with the same shot if they had been
>> swimming very together. This water is very small and birds not hit would
>> have flown and probably circled around. It’s not likely they would have
>> been shot in the air and fallen back into this small area.
>>
>> This poaching event is very disturbing and we had another event like this
>> in the same general area. I’m thinking of the eagle shooting over bait. No
>> hunter would shoot birds in a barrel or sitting on the water even in
>> season. In my opinion this is just criminal at any time.
>>
>> We all have bigger social troubles overall, but felt compelled to
>> document this as a complete view of birding in the finger lakes. The little
>> things still go on.
>>
>> Happier birding today,
>>
>> Gary
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Jody Enck]

Hi Gary and all,

So sorry you came upon this scene.  However, it definitely does not sound
like a shooting incident.  As a duck hunter myself, I will say that you
would need to be within 5 or 6 feet (maybe less) in order to take the head
off a duck via a shot.  At even 10-12 feet, the shotgun pellets start
spreading out enough that it would be virtually impossible for the duck to
lose its head.  Great Horned Owls can and do take heads off of birds
(notoriously off of pheasants), but multiple birds having similar fates
does suggest a mustelid, as others have mentioned.

Jody
Jody W. Enck, PhD
Conservation Social Scientist, and
Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network
607-379-5940


On Sun, May 31, 2020 at 10:08 AM Gary Kohlenberg  wrote:

> Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State
> Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and to
> show her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the
> beaver pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of the
> Adirondacks and is a favorite of mine.
>
> There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and
> mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of
> dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how
> popular this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.
>
> We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t
> make it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle,
> that they are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help
> a couple on the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t
> need any intervention.
>
> We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a
> dead male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find
> it had no head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and
> guessed maybe an owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls
> would or could do this, but seem to remember some discussion about this. If
> anyone knows if it can be a thing please enlighten me.
>
> I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard
> struggling in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater
> unable to lift it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to reach
> the poor guy to end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found a
> third male Mallard floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any more, but
> there could have been one in the grass. Three seems like a typical total
> for this small water to hold on any particular day.
>
> My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the water with a shotgun. To
> cleanly decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at very close range.
> The other birds could have all been hit with the same shot if they had been
> swimming very together. This water is very small and birds not hit would
> have flown and probably circled around. It’s not likely they would have
> been shot in the air and fallen back into this small area.
>
> This poaching event is very disturbing and we had another event like this
> in the same general area. I’m thinking of the eagle shooting over bait. No
> hunter would shoot birds in a barrel or sitting on the water even in
> season. In my opinion this is just criminal at any time.
>
> We all have bigger social troubles overall, but felt compelled to document
> this as a complete view of birding in the finger lakes. The little things
> still go on.
>
> Happier birding today,
>
> Gary
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Kevin J. Cummings]

Hi all,

Gary’s description of one of the Mallards sounded reminiscent of botulism.  
Paralysis of the neck muscles leads to an inability to hold the head above 
water, resulting in drowning.  Perhaps the head removal from one of the others 
reflected scavenging behavior or predation on a struggling bird.  I’m not sure 
if we see avian botulism locally though.

Kevin Cummings


From: bounce-124666711-3494...@list.cornell.edu 
 On Behalf Of Christopher T. 
Tessaglia-Hymes
Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2020 11:54 AM
To: Sandy Podulka 
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.

This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, severing 
heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Chris T-H
Sent from my iPhone



On May 31, 2020, at 11:07, Sandy Podulka 
mailto:s...@cornell.edu>> wrote:
That is also one of my favorite places!

I have seen 4 male Mallards in that small pond consistently this spring (but 
not today, and I guess I now know why).
I have no idea what could kill so many birds in such an odd way except a 
hunter, or maybe a group of hunters--I would think an owl wouldn't have a 
chance at all of them at once, as the others would fly off.

So sorry to hear this. As we are learning in so many ways these days, people 
can be truly cruel.

Sandy Podulka

At 10:08 AM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:

Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State 
Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and to show 
her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the beaver 
pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of the Adirondacks 
and is a favorite of mine.

There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and 
mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of 
dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how popular 
this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.

We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t make 
it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle, that they 
are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help a couple on 
the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t need any 
intervention.

We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a dead 
male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find it had no 
head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and guessed maybe an 
owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls would or could do 
this, but seem to remember some discussion about this. If anyone knows if it 
can be a thing please enlighten me.

I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard struggling 
in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater unable to lift 
it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to reach the poor guy to 
end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found a third male Mallard 
floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any more, but there could have been 
one in the grass. Three seems like a typical total for this small water to hold 
on any particular day.

My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the water with a shotgun. To 
cleanly decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at very close range. The 
other birds could have all been hit with the same shot if they had been 
swimming very together. This water is very small and birds not hit would have 
flown and probably circled around. It’s not likely they would have been shot 
in the air and fallen back into this small area.

This poaching event is very disturbing and we had another event like this in 
the same general area. I’m thinking of the eagle shooting over bait. No 
hunter would shoot birds in a barrel or sitting on the water even in season. In 
my opinion this is just criminal at any time.

We all have bigger social troubles overall, but felt compelled to document this 
as a complete view of birding in the finger lakes. The little things still go 
on.

Happier birding today,

Gary








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Please submit your observations to

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes]

Just throwing this out there as another possibility: weasel or ferret.

This is, as I understand it, classic kill method used by these Mustelids. 
They’ve been know to kill off an entire flock of chickens in a night, severing 
heads with minimal disruption to the rest of the body.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Chris T-H

Sent from my iPhone



On May 31, 2020, at 11:07, Sandy Podulka 
mailto:s...@cornell.edu>> wrote:

That is also one of my favorite places!

I have seen 4 male Mallards in that small pond consistently this spring (but 
not today, and I guess I now know why).
I have no idea what could kill so many birds in such an odd way except a 
hunter, or maybe a group of hunters--I would think an owl wouldn't have a 
chance at all of them at once, as the others would fly off.

So sorry to hear this. As we are learning in so many ways these days, people 
can be truly cruel.

Sandy Podulka

At 10:08 AM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:
Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State 
Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and to show 
her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the beaver 
pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of the Adirondacks 
and is a favorite of mine.

There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and 
mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of 
dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how popular 
this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.

We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t make 
it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle, that they 
are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help a couple on 
the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t need any 
intervention.

We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a dead 
male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find it had no 
head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and guessed maybe an 
owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls would or could do 
this, but seem to remember some discussion about this. If anyone knows if it 
can be a thing please enlighten me.

I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard struggling 
in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater unable to lift 
it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to reach the poor guy to 
end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found a third male Mallard 
floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any more, but there could have been 
one in the grass. Three seems like a typical total for this small water to hold 
on any particular day.

My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the water with a shotgun. To 
cleanly decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at very close range. The 
other birds could have all been hit with the same shot if they had been 
swimming very together. This water is very small and birds not hit would have 
flown and probably circled around. It’s not likely they would have been shot 
in the air and fallen back into this small area.

This poaching event is very disturbing and we had another event like this in 
the same general area. I’m thinking of the eagle shooting over bait. No 
hunter would shoot birds in a barrel or sitting on the water even in season. In 
my opinion this is just criminal at any time.

We all have bigger social troubles overall, but felt compelled to document this 
as a complete view of birding in the finger lakes. The little things still go 
on.

Happier birding today,

Gary








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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Melissa Groo]

Devastating news. Each time I have gone down there I have enjoyed seeing
that group of bachelor mallards. What a sick act.
Gary, will you be contacting the DEC?  I want so much to do something but
what can we do? I am gutted.

Melissa

On Sun, May 31, 2020 at 11:07 AM Sandy Podulka  wrote:

> That is also one of my favorite places!
>
> I have seen 4 male Mallards in that small pond consistently this spring
> (but not today, and I guess I now know why).
> I have no idea what could kill so many birds in such an odd way except a
> hunter, or maybe a group of hunters--I would think an owl wouldn't have a
> chance at all of them at once, as the others would fly off.
>
> So sorry to hear this. As we are learning in so many ways these days,
> people can be truly cruel.
>
> Sandy Podulka
>
> At 10:08 AM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:
>
> Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State
> Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and to
> show her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the
> beaver pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of the
> Adirondacks and is a favorite of mine.
>
> There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and
> mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of
> dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how
> popular this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.
>
> We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t
> make it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle,
> that they are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help
> a couple on the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t
> need any intervention.
>
> We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a
> dead male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find
> it had no head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and
> guessed maybe an owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls
> would or could do this, but seem to remember some discussion about this. If
> anyone knows if it can be a thing please enlighten me.
>
> I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard
> struggling in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater
> unable to lift it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to
> reach the poor guy to end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found
> a third male Mallard floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any more,
> but there could have been one in the grass. Three seems like a typical
> total for this small water to hold on any particular day.
>
> My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the water with a shotgun. To
> cleanly decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at very close range.
> The other birds could have all been hit with the same shot if they had been
> swimming very together. This water is very small and birds not hit would
> have flown and probably circled around. It’s not likely they would have
> been shot in the air and fallen back into this small area.
>
> This poaching event is very disturbing and we had another event like this
> in the same general area. I’m thinking of the eagle shooting over bait.
> No hunter would shoot birds in a barrel or sitting on the water even in
> season. In my opinion this is just criminal at any time.
>
> We all have bigger social troubles overall, but felt compelled to document
> this as a complete view of birding in the finger lakes. The little things
> still go on.
>
> Happier birding today,
>
> Gary
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Sandy Podulka]

That is also one of my favorite places!

I have seen 4 male Mallards in that small pond 
consistently this spring (but not today, and I guess I now know why).
I have no idea what could kill so many birds in 
such an odd way except a hunter, or maybe a group 
of hunters--I would think an owl wouldn't have a 
chance at all of them at once, as the others would fly off.

So sorry to hear this. As we are learning in so 
many ways these days, people can be truly cruel.

Sandy Podulka

At 10:08 AM 5/31/2020, Gary Kohlenberg wrote:
>Saturday I walked with my daughter down 
>Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State Forest, to 
>the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for 
>exercise, fun and to show her the area. It was 
>very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the 
>beaver pond at the bottom of the hill. This 
>place always reminds me of the Adirondacks and is a favorite of mine.
>
>There was a surprising amount of traffic on 
>Shindagin Rd. both cars and mountain bikers 
>savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates 
>on cars of dozens parked at the intersection and 
>FLT crossing. I was reminded how popular this 
>area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic.
>
>We were amazed at how many Red Newts were 
>crossing the road. Some didn’t make it 
>unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about 
>their life cycle, that they are toxic, but 
>contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to 
>help a couple on the journey, but they are very 
>independent minded and don’t need any intervention.
>
>We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the 
>outflow pipe under the road; a dead male 
>Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and 
>checked to find it had no head. I thought that 
>was weird, but I have seen it before, and 
>guessed maybe an owl had decapitated it. I’m 
>not actually positive owls would or could do 
>this, but seem to remember some discussion about 
>this. If anyone knows if it can be a thing please enlighten me.
>
>I scanned the pond and saw movement which was 
>another male Mallard struggling in the water. 
>His body floated with the head hanging 
>underwater unable to lift it up. He may have had 
>a broken neck. I wasn’t able to reach the poor 
>guy to end his misery which made me sad. More 
>scanning found a third male Mallard floating in 
>the pond dead. I didn’t see any more, but 
>there could have been one in the grass. Three 
>seems like a typical total for this small water to hold on any particular day.
>
>My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the 
>water with a shotgun. To cleanly decapitate a 
>bird the shot would have to be at very close 
>range. The other birds could have all been hit 
>with the same shot if they had been swimming 
>very together. This water is very small and 
>birds not hit would have flown and probably 
>circled around. It’s not likely they would 
>have been shot in the air and fallen back into this small area.
>
>This poaching event is very disturbing and we 
>had another event like this in the same general 
>area. I’m thinking of the eagle shooting over 
>bait. No hunter would shoot birds in a barrel or 
>sitting on the water even in season. In my 
>opinion this is just criminal at any time.
>
>We all have bigger social troubles overall, but 
>felt compelled to document this as a complete 
>view of birding in the finger lakes. The little things still go on.
>
>Happier birding today,
>
>Gary
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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[cayugabirds-l] Murder most Fowl - Saturday 5/30

[Gary Kohlenberg]

Saturday I walked with my daughter down Shindagin Hollow Rd., in the State 
Forest, to the intersection with Gulf Creek Rd. for exercise, fun and to show 
her the area. It was very birdy and beautiful as usual especially the beaver 
pond at the bottom of the hill. This place always reminds me of the Adirondacks 
and is a favorite of mine. 

There was a surprising amount of traffic on Shindagin Rd. both cars and 
mountain bikers savoring the nice day. Some out of state plates on cars of 
dozens parked at the intersection and FLT crossing. I was reminded how popular 
this area is and how much we need wild areas during a pandemic. 

We were amazed at how many Red Newts were crossing the road. Some didn’t make 
it unharmed, but most of them did. I learned about their life cycle, that they 
are toxic, but contain off the charts cuteness. We tried to help a couple on 
the journey, but they are very independent minded and don’t need any 
intervention.

We noticed a dead bird in the pond by the outflow pipe under the road; a dead 
male Mallard. Kayla thought it quite interesting and checked to find it had no 
head. I thought that was weird, but I have seen it before, and guessed maybe an 
owl had decapitated it. I’m not actually positive owls would or could do this, 
but seem to remember some discussion about this. If anyone knows if it can be a 
thing please enlighten me. 
 
I scanned the pond and saw movement which was another male Mallard struggling 
in the water. His body floated with the head hanging underwater unable to lift 
it up. He may have had a broken neck. I wasn’t able to reach the poor guy to 
end his misery which made me sad. More scanning found a third male Mallard 
floating in the pond dead. I didn’t see any more, but there could have been one 
in the grass. Three seems like a typical total for this small water to hold on 
any particular day. 

My hypothesis is that they were all shot on the water with a shotgun. To 
cleanly decapitate a bird the shot would have to be at very close range. The 
other birds could have all been hit with the same shot if they had been 
swimming very together. This water is very small and birds not hit would have 
flown and probably circled around. It’s not likely they would have been shot in 
the air and fallen back into this small area.
 
This poaching event is very disturbing and we had another event like this in 
the same general area. I’m thinking of the eagle shooting over bait. No hunter 
would shoot birds in a barrel or sitting on the water even in season. In my 
opinion this is just criminal at any time. 

We all have bigger social troubles overall, but felt compelled to document this 
as a complete view of birding in the finger lakes. The little things still go 
on.  

Happier birding today, 

Gary 








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