Maybe because they are moving through the area at that time, and because
they fly in such massive flocks that they died, that is my guess. Migratory
birds have mostly moved on by this time of year.
Wendee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone
Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian
http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com
~ 6-wk Online Writing Courses Start Jan 15 or Feb 26~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bohemian Adventures Blog - http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Judith S. Weis
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 1:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Red-winged Blackbird Die Off in AR....
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 dont 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 <
> [email protected]> 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
>>
>>
>>
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