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Submitted
by
Marci
Massive
Bird Kill in Georgia
Dear
Friends:
As I
write this bit of horrendous news, it is difficult because
I am extremely distraught. Therefore, it will be brief.
Yesterday,
January 21, a family in Georgia reported that more than 200
dead birds, mainly red-winged blackbirds, had fallen dead
into their yard. They even observed birds dropping from trees,
and dying.
The authorities
speculated that the birds had been poisoned. That news was
horrifying. Then today, the news reports that more than 1,000
birds are dead. Species found thus far in the kill include
songbirds, doves, ducks, hawks, and others.
According
to the news accounts, the hawks probably died from secondary
poisoning due to eating the poisoned birds.
Today,
it has been reported that the poison may have come from a
pesticide used on corn on a nearby farm in Bartow County,
Georgia. This has not been confirmed, but it is a heartbreaking
story that will unfold in days to come.
Once
the source of the poisoning is determined, there will most
likely be huge fines because some of the birds killed were
on the endangered species list.
I am
saddened, horrified, and would hope that whenever possible,
that as many concerned people as possible plead that farmers
and others DO NOT use pesticides on gardens and plants because
of the harm that can come to our wildlife, and ourselves.
Ask this
question: If the pesticide used on the corn is what caused
the massive kill of a variety of species of birds, then what
effect would eating that corn have on humans? In the future,
I will probably be more wary of vegetables that are not grown
organically.
A Postnote:
Audubon
Magazine published an article last year about massive, planned
kills of the red-winged blackbird in areas in the West, effectively
threatening the existence of the species. I recall how disturbing
I found that story, and now it hits Georgia.
The red-winged
blackbird is a beautiful, very regal bird. Although it has
a shrill cry, many find the red-winged blackbird's sound beautiful.
I recall the few that visited my wildlife sanctuary last year.
The sound of the bird was enough to cause one to rush to see
what kind of bird was making such a fuss with its shrill call.
The red-orange, and yellow feathers on its wing are a sight
to behold. I welcomed my winged visitors.
All threats
to wildlife ultimately are threats to human life. Period.
Click
Here
for the Action News2 full story with all of the details. It
is a very sad event, particularly since it appears that the
birds were intentionally poisoned.
Marci
Writings by Marci:
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