Maryland - 100s of birds crash onto Interstate 95 highway February 17, 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RDO-o6O3SI&feature=related
Greetings
Recently we were notified of approximately 80-100 starlings dead on I-95 near Laurel, MD.
Carcasses were taken to a state lab where trauma and hemorrhage were the only findings.
Additional birds were sent to the National Wildlife Health Center/ USGS - Madison, WI - and to
date - the only reported finding has been trauma.
No infectious disease was suspected based on gross necropsy. While additional diagnostic
tests were being performed last week, it is unlikely that a definitive reason for the birds flying
into traffic will be found. No other wildlife incidents were reported during that time.
A similar incident was reported in 1999 in Bowie on Rte 50 at the Bowie Airport. Starlings
reportedly flew into traffic at dusk and a few hundred were removed from the road. The National
Wildlife Health Center again found trauma as the cause of death, but did not have a reason for
the birds flying into traffic.
Will keep you informed if we learn more.
cpd