Latest news with #MarkHoehner
Times
16-05-2025
- Times
The mystery of San Francisco's ‘exploding' birds is solved
When dead birds started falling from the sky in a San Francisco Bay Area neighbourhood, residents blamed power lines. The mystery deepened after Richmond locals reported birds 'exploding'. Now, the puzzle has been solved, but the answer, while prosaic, is disturbing. Residents first reported the deaths in April and as many as 50 birds are believed to have been killed. Mark Hoehner, 64, was walking his dogs one evening when he heard a loud pop. Looking up, he saw a dove perched on a power line drop to the ground, he told the San Francisco Chronicle. Five minutes later, he heard another pop before a starling fell to the pavement. Max Bolling had a similar experience to that of his neighbour. He had seen
Indianapolis Star
15-05-2025
- Indianapolis Star
50 birds die on one street in California suburb, wildlife officials suggest foul play
A neighborhood in a San Francisco suburb is demanding answers after a string of birds were found dead. Residents of Richmond, California, told ABC affiliate KGO that they have seen over 50 birds fall dead since February from a specific stretch of power line on Bernhard Avenue in the East Bay city. "I see the birds on the line, I hear that crack ... coming from where the bird is sitting on the line and then I look up just in time to see a bird just fall lifeless to the ground," Mark Hoehner, a resident and witness to three of the incidents, told USA TODAY in an interview May 14. Home security footage published by KGO shows a bird falling from the powerline after a pop, leading some residents to suggest that the deaths were caused by powerlines in the area. Hoehner said that the incidents he witnessed were similar the security video, though the "crack" he heard was louder. Residents believe that the incidents are connected to the moisture that stays on the wires in the notoriously foggy region, according to Hoehner. However, a finding from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers another explanation: foul play. Following the neighborhood's reports of dead birds, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Health Lab received and performed evaluations on two of the birds found in the area, according to a statement provided to USA TODAY. The birds, a Mourning dove and European starling, were collected by the operators of the power line, PG&E, who said in a statement to KGO that the equipment at the center of the bird controversy met avian safety standards, in a statement provided to USA TODAY Tuesday. In the wildlife official's statement, the lab said it found that the examined birds showed no sign of electrocution, but did present "injuries consistent with trauma that could possibly have been caused by pellet gun, BB gun or a slingshot." The lab further said that photos of other dead birds in the area showed injuries consistent with trauma, but the exact nature of that trauma could not be determined. Officers are now investigating the birds' deaths. Hoehner disputes the findings and continues to point the finger toward the power line, reasoning that if a shooter was the culprit they would hunt in a larger area than the stretch of Bernhard Avenue. "Having witnessed it, I can't really entertain the idea of a shooter when I know where the sound is coming from," Hoehner said. "Unless somebody decided while this is happening to take the opportunity to start shooting some birds." Other residents concurred with Hoehner when they spoke with KGO. "I feel like a BB gun doesn't make a firecracker noise," Heather Jones said. "This sounds exactly like a firecracker." Hoehner said he believes that PG&E is "dragging their feet" and doesn't understand why they would do so. In its statement, the utility company said, "we appreciate the concern of our customers," while pointing to the shooter theory. Maximilian Bolling, another resident, told KGO that he wants the problem ended, no matter the cause. "It's very traumatic," Bolling said. "We just want it solved at the end of the day."
USA Today
14-05-2025
- USA Today
50 birds die on one street in California suburb, wildlife officials suggest foul play
50 birds die on one street in California suburb, wildlife officials suggest foul play Show Caption Hide Caption Stranded, hungry pelicans are being found along California's coast International Bird Rescue treated more than 400 brown pelicans in 2024, when this video was taken, and is closing in on 200 this year. A neighborhood in a western California suburb is demanding answers after a string of birds were found dead. Residents of Richmond, California, told ABC affiliate KGO that they have seen over 50 birds fall dead since February from a specific stretch of power line on Bernhard Avenue in the East Bay city. "It sounded like a firecracker, and a black bird-a starling-just plummeted to the ground," Mark Hoehner, a resident and witness to one of the incidents, told the TV station. "I've been under the birds when it happens, and I know where the sound is coming from. It's coming from up on the pole." USA TODAY contacted Hoehner and other residents in the area on May 14 but has not received a response. Home security footage published by the KGO shows a bird falling from the powerline after a pop, leading some residents to suggest that the deaths were caused by powerlines in the area. However, a finding from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers another explanation: foul play. Lab examination suggests birds were shot Following the neighborhood's reports of dead birds, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Health Lab received and performed evaluations on two of the birds found in the area, according to a statement provided to USA TODAY. The birds, a Mourning dove and European starling, were collected by the operators of the power line, PG&E, who said in a statement to KGO that the equipment at the center of the bird controversy met avian safety standards. USA TODAY reached out to PG&E but did not receive a response. In the wildlife official's statement, the lab said it found that the examined birds showed no sign of electrocution, but did present "injuries consistent with trauma that could possibly have been caused by pellet gun, BB gun or a slingshot." The lab further said that photos of other dead birds in the area showed injuries consistent with trauma, but the exact nature of that trauma could not be determined. Officers are now investigating the birds' deaths. Richmond residents unconvinced of bird death cause, demand answers Despite the findings, Richmond residents told KGO that they were unconvinced. "I feel like a BB gun doesn't make a firecracker noise," Heather Jones said. "This sounds exactly like a firecracker." Maximilian Bolling, another resident, told KGO that he wants the problem ended, no matter the cause. "It's very traumatic," Bolling said. "We just want it solved at the end of the day."
San Francisco Chronicle
14-05-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Freaky and disturbing': No one knows why birds are dying in this Bay Area neighborhood
On a recent evening, Mark Hoehner was walking his dogs in his East Richmond Heights neighborhood when he heard a loud pop like a firecracker. The 64-year-old marketing designer looked up and saw a dove perched on the power line suddenly fall to the ground. Five minutes later, he heard the popping sound again and a starling hit the pavement in front of him. As many as 50 birds have mysteriously died in the area in recent weeks, residents said, leaving them spooked and grasping for answers. Some blame PG&E power lines draped between two wooden poles in their neighborhood on the 6100 block of Bernhard Avenue east of Richmond. Officials suspect a pellet or BB gun. But so far, no one can say for sure what's killing the birds — or why. 'It's pretty freaky and disturbing and very sad,' Hoehner said Tuesday outside his home. Several houses away, pinned to a power line is a sign that reads: 'Top line PG&E has electrocuted 5 birds.' The remains of a bird and feathers littered the ground near the power line on Tuesday morning. Contra Costa County deputy sheriffs responded to the neighborhood on April 26 after a resident reported seeing multiple birds electrocuted on the power line. The sheriff's office requested that PG&E respond to the incident. The story was first reported by ABC7. While residents are convinced that the power lines are causing the deaths, PG&E and other agencies have denied that. Tamar Sarkissian, a spokesperson for PG&E, said in a statement that the agency does not believe there is an issue with the electrical equipment and that the birds were not electrocuted. 'The pole at issue is compliant with avian safe guidance, as established by the Avian Powerline Interaction Committee,' Sarkissian said. Sarkissian said workers inspected the facilities and 'found them to be in good condition and found no reason that they should be electrocuting' birds. Though bird electrocutions are unusual, they can happen when spacing between wires or between wires and grounded equipment is too small, allowing them to create two points of contact, according to the power line committee's guidelines. PG&E sent two deceased birds from the neighborhood to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to evaluate. A department spokesperson told the Chronicle that wildlife officers were investigating, but their evaluation of a dead mourning dove and European starling found no signs of electrocution. The birds had consistent injuries with trauma that could have been caused by a pellet gun, BB gun or a slingshot, but the exact cause could not be determined, the spokesperson said. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia told the Chronicle his office has been in touch with residents and is planning to send public works employees to the area. 'I have not seen this large number of bird deaths like this before,' Gioia said. While PG&E has denied that its power line has caused the bird deaths, residents remain skeptical in the tree-lined neighborhood of single-family homes where yards are adorned with basketball hoops, children's play swings and flower beds. Max Bolling, who lives near the power line, said he's seen at least 20 dead birds on the ground near it, while other residents said the number tops 50. 'They just land on the top line and then they make a popping sound like a firecracker and then they drop to the ground,' Bolling said. 'It's crazy.' Bolling and other residents have recorded at least 20 dead birds, and they urge PG&E to return to the site and examine the power line in more detail. 'I just want it solved,' Bolling said.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Mystery as dozens of birds are seen dropping dead out of the sky in California neighborhood
Dozens o f birds have mysteriously dropped dead out of the sky in California, sparking fear and confusion among residents. More than 50 birds have bizarrely fallen to their deaths in Richmond, located about 15 minutes outside of Albany, in recent months. Now, locals have decided to take action and try to find out why these horrific instances keep occurring just over their homes. 'It's a mystery, that's how we all feel,' Heather Jones, a Richmond resident, told ABC 7. 'It's inexplicable.' According to neighbors, the birds were seen plunging to the ground after landing on a certain stretch of a powerline in the area. Surveillance video captured by one homeowner revealed the moment a bird perched itself on the electrical line before dramatically plummeting down. As the bird fell, residents said they heard loud 'pop' sounds that resembled the noise of a firecracker or BB gun. However, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife ruled out electrocution as a cause of death, deepening the mystery. Mark Hoehner, who witnessed one of the tragic incidents months ago, told the outlet: 'It sounded like a firecracker, and a black bird, a starling, just plummeted to the ground. 'I've been under the birds when it happens, and I know where the sound is coming from. It's coming from up on the pole,' he added. Another woman, who lives across from the powerlines residents speak of, said she's discovered several dead birds in her trash can over the past few weeks. That same resident, who remained anonymous, said she filed a report with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office about the puzzling incidents. The department told ABC 7 that officers responded to her home on April 26 'for a report of a suspicious circumstance.' 'A resident reported multiple birds were possibly electrocuted when they landed on a powerline. A report was made and PG&E was requested to respond to the location to inspect the power lines,' the department continued. The gas and electric service looked into the peculiar discoveries and eventually got the California Department of Fish & Wildlife involved. Despite many of the residents believing the birds were dying from electrocution, the agency determined that the animals' deaths were caused by trauma, not electric shock. Specifically, officials believe the birds were fatally shot with some sort of pellet from a BB or slingshot. 'We appreciate the concern of our customers in Richmond about the recent series of bird deaths. We have asked the California Department of Fish & Wildlife to evaluate several of the bird corpses,' PG&E said. 'They have shared that the birds show no evidence of electrocution, and that their deaths were caused by trauma, potentially from a pellet or BB gun or a slingshot.' Additionally, the company said it 'does not believe that there was an issue with our electrical equipment and agrees that these birds were not electrocuted.' The California Department of Fish & Wildlife confirmed with the outlet that they were only sent two birds to examine - a mourning dove and a European starling - not 'several' like PG&E said. The agency also noted that the birds' cause of death remains unclear even though they suspect trauma. 'CDFW also received photos of other dead birds found at the location that showed injuries consistent with trauma. The exact cause of the trauma to all of these birds could not be determined. CDFW wildlife officers are investigating,' the agency said. Although officials have appeared to come to a conclusion on what is causing the sudden deaths of birds in the neighborhood, residents are not convinced their findings are accurate. 'I feel like a BB gun doesn't make a firecracker noise. This sounds exactly like a firecracker,' resident Heather Jones said. Meanwhile, Jan Solomon questioned how someone could accurately hit birds consecutively. 'I can't fathom someone being so accurate all the time,' Solomon stated. Another local, Sharon Anderson, said she often notices the power lines sparking. 'That particular wire does sizzle and arc at times,' she detailed. Worried residents just want answers so the mystery can finally come to an end. 'We just want it solved at the end of the day,' Maximilian Bolling said.
