Poisoned starlings found in Longview park

LONGVIEW, Wash. – A woman whose children found 15 to 20 dead starlings in a Longview park was surprised to learn they had been poisoned by county and federal officials.

Misty Boursaw told KATU her children found the dead birds in Longview’s Victoria Freeman Park, just steps from their apartment. She said she was worried the birds were diseased, so she called the health department.

That call to the health department netted her information she never thought possible.

We have confirmed with Cowlitz County's solid waste superintendent, Don Olson, that the starlings were poisoned Feb. 16 at the county landfill, where they are a nuisance, and as a result of bird-risks to planes landing at the Kelso airport (see related stories to the left for ways other airports are dealing with birds). The poisoning was conducted by Washington Wildlife Services workers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A Washington Wildlife Services official says in 15 years they have probably done this seven times, roughly once every two years. We're told  they always warn local health departments, the Fish and Wildlife department, and law enforcement in case people call in.

The spokesperson insisted the birds are not harmful to people or the animals that may consume them.

- The Daily News in Longview contributed to this report.