A strange discovery this morning in downtown Austin. (TX)

KLBJ News ^ | 1/8/2007 | n/a

[Arrowhead1952]

Several blocks of Congress Ave are closed as police investigate the death of dozens and dozens of birds lying in the street.

KLBJ spoke to the APD's Toni Shovenitz, She says they are speculating it is some type of posioning.

Right now police are using leaf-blowers to clean the road. They hope re-open this area before rush hour traffic.

[RonDog]

...but authorities said there was no danger and no indication it was a terrorist attack.

Uh, oh...

Now we are REALLY in trouble, when they start denying it was terrorists. :o)

[wayoverthehill]

I haven't thought about Tom Lehrer for about 45 years but I can still remember some of his songs. How about "We'll All Go Together When We Go", and the Elements song. He was a master of rhyming.

Thanks for the memories - LOL.

[RobRoy]

Most people think they have a good sense of humor. But most don't.

[Arrowhead1952]

I don't have to click on any picture to see a larger version of those obnoxious birds. < /sarcasm>

I see them on a daily basis. If I lived in an unincorporated area, I'd use them for target practice.

[TexKat]

Congress Avenue should open soon

Updated: 1/8/2007 10:47 AM
By: News 8 Austin Staff


Congress Avenue from Cesar Chavez to 11th Street as well as one block on either side of Congress are closed until further notice.

Authorities are trying to figure how several dozen dead birds were found along Congress between Sixth and Eighth Streets overnight.

A state health official said the 10-block stretch of downtown Austin should reopen soon, however.

Preliminary air-quality tests showed no dangerous chemicals.

Police closed down the area Monday morning after up to 60 birds
were found dead. The carcasses of the birds are being tested, but
officials do not believe bird flu is involved or that people are in
danger.

There have been no reports of humans harmed.

A Homeland Security spokesman says there is "no credible
intelligence'' that suggests a threat against Austin.

The Austin Fire Department suggests that if you work in the affected area, you wait until they've given the "all clear" before going in.

All Congress Avenue Capital Metro routes are being detoured to San Jacinto and Brazos.

http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=177444

[RonDog]

:o)

Then why would the terrorists be killing them. ;)

[NavyCanDo]

Find the young boy in the neighborhood who got the RED RIDER Range Model BB gun for Christmas and you may just have your answer to why so many dead birds.

[RobRoy]

Last fall I was in downtown seattle on 3rd avenue where there were literally thousands of small birds congregating for a few weeks.

One day I heard a strange squauk from the tree above me. What I saw was a Falcon sitting on a branch working it's claws into the branch. On closer inspection I realized it was crushing one of the smaller birds that was protesting in strange squaks. After a while, the smaller bird stopped protesting and the falcon flew away. It was actually quite amazing.

[BJClinton]

A homeless man found unconscious near Congress.

And that's news? lol

[RobRoy]

>>I see them on a daily basis. If I lived in an unincorporated area, I'd use them for target practice.<<

You need a silencer.

[sasha123]

Here's another update:

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=5904817

[jordan8]

For a minute I thought someone had found a Republican.

[ravingnutter]

The legislature is about to go back in to session. Must have something to do with that.

Nah...there was no mention of turkeys in any of those stories.

[visualops]

[pamlet]

Thanks... ;-)

[SuziQ]

*snort* One of my favorite cheesy movies. BTW did you know that in the scene, in The Core, where the birds are flying at the window, one of the birds is actually a trout? We saw that on the movie commentary while watching the DVD. The guys doing the animation threw it in there to see if anyone would notice. You don't really, unless you know it's there, and you're doing slo-mo.

[Col Sanders]

the guest threw rice, the birds ate the rice and then drank water, the birds then croak

You're aware, that this is an urban legend...right?

Birds will not explode or croak or anything from eating raw rice...

Link

Regards,

Col Sanders

[Vicki]

We had this happen several years ago. Hundreds of birds dead and it turned out to be poisoning. Can't remember what kind of poison. It was in a farming area.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

"When they see us coming, the birdies all try an' hide,
But they still go for peanuts when coated with cyanide."

---

Ahhh the master of the forced rhyme.

I myself prefer the song about the bullfight where he says

Out came the matador
Who must have been potted or
Slightly insane but who
looked rather bored.

[skr]

LOL!