MandM
Free Member
Did you know that the Canal and River Trust (CaRT) have taken over management of the Inland Waterways from British Waterways. (BW) But I digress from my story. A member of the Canal and River Trust bankside staff made a horrific discovery. When he found over 200 dead crows floating in the Tinsley Canal at Sheffield.
The location was close to the point where the M1 crosses both the River Don and over the South Yorkshire Navigation. There was some concern and some speculation locally that the Crow fatalities in such significant numbers. Might have been as a result of an Avian Flu infection. Avian Flu is capable of crossing over to humans.
An Ornithological Pathologist from the Environment Agency was brought in to examine the remains of all the crows. However, to everyone's relief she confirmed the problem was NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be from a series of vehicular impacts. However, during analysis by the Ornithological Pathologist, it was also noted that varying colours of paint appeared embedded in the dead bird's beaks and on their claws.
The trust then employed the service of a company specialising in forensic vehicle paint analysis. It turned out that the analysis of the paint residue types, revealed that 92% of the crows had been killed by impact with HGV Lorry's. While only 8% were killed by cars.
The Trust then hired the services of an Ornithological Behaviourist to determine if there was a cause for the disproportionate percentages of truck kills versus car kills. The Ornithological Behaviourist quickly concluded that the crows - who are a Corvid species - regularly eat road kill.
The birds are also well known for not being 'bird brains' but for being quite intelligent. They habitually have a look-out crow to warn of any approaching danger. The Ornithological Behaviourist also discovered that while all the lookout crows without exception could shout a loud clear "Kah Kah" when a car approached. However, not a single one observed could shout "Lorry."
The location was close to the point where the M1 crosses both the River Don and over the South Yorkshire Navigation. There was some concern and some speculation locally that the Crow fatalities in such significant numbers. Might have been as a result of an Avian Flu infection. Avian Flu is capable of crossing over to humans.
An Ornithological Pathologist from the Environment Agency was brought in to examine the remains of all the crows. However, to everyone's relief she confirmed the problem was NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be from a series of vehicular impacts. However, during analysis by the Ornithological Pathologist, it was also noted that varying colours of paint appeared embedded in the dead bird's beaks and on their claws.
The trust then employed the service of a company specialising in forensic vehicle paint analysis. It turned out that the analysis of the paint residue types, revealed that 92% of the crows had been killed by impact with HGV Lorry's. While only 8% were killed by cars.
The Trust then hired the services of an Ornithological Behaviourist to determine if there was a cause for the disproportionate percentages of truck kills versus car kills. The Ornithological Behaviourist quickly concluded that the crows - who are a Corvid species - regularly eat road kill.
The birds are also well known for not being 'bird brains' but for being quite intelligent. They habitually have a look-out crow to warn of any approaching danger. The Ornithological Behaviourist also discovered that while all the lookout crows without exception could shout a loud clear "Kah Kah" when a car approached. However, not a single one observed could shout "Lorry."
