A murder of Crows Murdered? (Oct. 2/15)

UPDATE Monday Oct. 5th. The "A murder of Crows Murdered" mystery has been solved. If the crows were murdered it was by the Buckthorn tree. Seems that buckthorn is toxic and there crows stopped for a fatal lunch. (The is no evidence the buckthorn trees did this on purpose so the suggestion they murdered these birds is probably a bit of an exaggeration. Thanks to the Us Forest Service and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouces for this update.

Ashland, WI October 2, 2015 - Responding to a report stating dead crows were noticed under a tree along a side street. The Crows wee found underneath and beside a thicket that may prove to be the casue of death. Slide one and two show the leaves and berries adn the remaining slides are those of the victims. A total of five bodies were found, three laying on the outside edges of this thicket and two were found in the thicket. All of these crows were pronouced dead at the scene. The cause of death is unknown. It is speculatedi that the berries may played a role in the demise of the crows. Others have sugested the West Nile Virus, eating poisoned food, the threat of 25,000 piggies moving into the area, or even more sinister explanations for the death of this Crow family. The vics appeared to be the same age, beautiful feathers and coloring. Also appears that these Crows had left this world at about the same time. This incident was reported to the Ashland Health officials, local police and sheriff’s department.  Seems that no one was really concerned and the West Nile Virus study has been completed. Apparently one bird in the area tested positive. Needed to call DNR in Madison looking for information. Bad time to find anyone in some of the state offices due to cut backs and vacations. Seems that no one was really concerned and the West Nile Virus study has been completed. Apparently one bird in the area tested positive.  Crows are intelligent and is is quite interesting that so many are found is a small area.