Large bird kill reported near Picher

Nearly 100 dead birds were seen by several travelers east of Hwy 69 and 69a junction south of Picher Friday evening.

Posted: Monday, March 30, 2015 3:49 pm

Melinda Stottsmelinda.stotts@miaminewsrecord.com

COMMERCE — Several people in the area reported seeing a large amount of dead blackbirds, most estimates around 100, on the highway between Commerce and Quapaw near Picher over the weekend.

According to Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Information and Education Supervisor Micah Holmes, the most likely cause of the birds' demise was natural causes or weather-related issues during their migration. Holmes said his department did not receive any reports of this specific bird kill incident, which occurred on Highway 69 and 69A south of Picher on Friday evening.

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El Reno Takes Unique Approach To Remedy Bird Problem

Posted: Aug 06, 2014 3:57 AM GDTUpdated: Aug 06, 2014 3:57 AM GDT

By Steve Shaw, News 9 - bio | email

The propane powered cannon works on a timer and is used to scare away hundreds of black birds that migrate to the trees in the neighborhood this time of year.

EL RENO, Oklahoma -

Residents in El Reno's Holbrook neighborhood had to put up with loud booms around dusk Tuesday night.

The booms came from what El Reno Animal Control Director Mike Townsend call his "Bird Blaster”. The propane powered cannon works on a timer and is used to scare away hundreds of black birds that migrate to the trees in the neighborhood this time of year.

Townsend says the birds leave droppings that can be a health hazard.

"They can just tear up the backyards, and if we don't stay on top of it, it can get pretty nasty," he said.

Townsend says firing the bird blaster doesn't hurt the birds, it just scares them away.

Source

Reward Offered For Information On Bird Deaths On Arkansas River

Times Record Staff

A reward is being offered for information regarding the deaths of several birds found on an island in the Arkansas River.

Federal and state endangered species regulations protect least terns, according to a news release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The endangered birds are found anywhere along the Arkansas River from the Oklahoma state line to the Mississippi River. Their main nesting area is a section of the river from Clarksville downstream to Pine Bluff, the release states.

The dead birds were found late last month, and several spent shotgun shells also were discovered on the island, the release states. Egg shell fragments also were found. Earlier in June, researchers found more than 50 adult terns and two active nests on the island. Researchers believe the birds were beginning re-nesting activities following a June 12 flood, according to the release.

A reward of up to $8,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the deaths, the release states. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust is offering the reward.

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VIDEO: Flyover fail as bald eagle crashes into window inside Oklahoma school, falls to ground

The big bird, named Lewis, survived the failed flyover inside the chapel of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa last week. The eagle was supposed to land on the arm of its trainer, Roger Wallace

That’s why the call ‘em bird-brained.

A bald eagle released in a packed auditorium at an Oklahoma university tried to take a detour out of the room, but came to an abrupt stop when it slammed into a window and dropped to the ground.

The big bird, named Lewis, survived the failed flyover that caused a sudden uproar from hundreds of students inside the chapel of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa last week.

The eagle was one of two birds brought to the Christian school to celebrate Golden Eagle Day on Aug. 21, officials said.

“U-S-A! U-S-A!” the students chanted as the bald eagle swirled around the room.

But after one lap, the cheers turned into a gasps of horror as the bird — which was supposed to land on the arm of its trainer, Roger Wallace — soared straight for a window and smacked into the glass.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/video-flyover-fail-bald-eagle-crashes-window-oklahoma-school-falls-ground-article-1.1439452#ixzz2dY8shyuk

Rare endangered birds traveling through Oklahoma

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife

In the last two weeks a very rare bird was spotted at Lake Overholser in Oklahoma City - an unusual location for the endangered whooping crane. Standing at nearly five feet tall, the whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America and can be seen passing through the state until mid-November. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is asking state residents to report sightings of this rare bird.

"Just over 300 whooping cranes are en route from their nesting grounds in Canada to their wintering location along the central Texas coast," said Mark Howery, wildlife diversity biologist for the Wildlife Department.

Howery advises Oklahomans to keep watch for the cranes around shallow wetlands, marshes, river bottoms and partially-flooded pastures and grain fields in the western half of the state.

"Whooping cranes typically migrate during the day in groups of one to six birds," Howery said. "They can be identified by their large size, bold white plumage, black tips on their feathers, red and black markings on their heads, and their long legs that extend beyond their tail feathers while in flight and long, stretched neck during flight."

Despite their distinct appearance, they are often confused with the white pelican (short legs with a large band of black feathers along the trailing edge of each wing - not just the tip), snow goose (short legs not visible beyond tail feathers, usually flies in large flocks of 30 or more birds), and great egret (no black feathers on its wings, holds its neck in an S-shape when in flight). Also, during low light or backlit conditions, whooping cranes and sandhill cranes will both appear dark and can look similar.

Continued:  http://pryordailytimes.com/statenews/x688459474/Rare-endangered-birds-traveling-through-Oklahoma

Recordings of birds at airport loud, annoying but effective

TULSA, Okla. —
Visitors to Tulsa International Airport can't help but notice the loud, incessant and unceasing bird sounds playing outside the terminal.

Some wonder just what they are, and Alexis Higgins with the Tulsa Airport Authority says they regularly get questions about them.

"We'll see on Facebook or Twitter where people have commented regarding the bird noises. Some people think it sounds like a monkey."

Higgins says they're recordings of bird distress calls, and if played at high enough volume they prevent other birds from nesting in the area.

"We've tried turning it down a little bit, because it is annoying. But it's not as effective once the volume is decreased," she says.

The airport obtained the recordings and began using them several years ago, shortly after canopies were built outside the terminal and over some parking areas.

"We don't want birds leaving their droppings all over vehicles and people," Higgins told KRMG.

She added, "the maintenance of having to clean up after birds is quite costly, and its honestly pretty disgusting."

The Airport Authority remains open to any other suggestions that might get the job done without subjecting customers to the noisy squawking.

Log on to our Facebook page or through Twitter and tag us," Higgins said. "We'll definitely explore all options."

http://www.krmg.com/news/news/local/recordings-birds-airport-loud-annoying-effective/nSMgy/