Dead birds reported in Pine Island and Montgomery days after Wallkill crow deaths
State officials previously suspected avian flu in Wallkill as new sightings are reported elsewhere in Orange County.
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New reports of dead birds are coming in across Orange County, just days after News 12 first reported on dozens of dead crows found behind the Wallkill Shopping Center along Schutt Road in the Town of Wallkill.
One viewer contacted News 12 after spotting dozens of deceased geese on a frozen patch of the Wallkill River along Celery Avenue in Pine Island. Video from the scene shows the birds lying on the ice near the riverbank.
Another viewer also reported a similar sighting of dead birds in Montgomery.
Just last week, state environmental officials said avian flu was suspected after dozens of dead crows were found behind the Wallkill Shopping Center in Wallkill. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said several of those birds were collected and sent for testing.
State officials say avian flu has been detected in wild birds and other animals across multiple parts of New York State in recent months.
News 12 has reached out to the DEC for more information regarding the newly reported sightings and is waiting to hear back.
This is not the first time a large number of dead birds have been reported in this area. In 2020, dozens of deceased crows were also found behind the same Wallkill shopping plaza. At the time, officials said testing did not determine a cause, and the birds tested negative for common viruses, including avian flu.
The DEC urges the public not to touch sick or dead birds and to report large groups of deceased wildlife to state officials.
