CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a shocking video that may be difficult for some to watch, a WSOC-TV viewer captured footage of hundreds of birds scattered across the ground near the entrance of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, after flying into the side of the building.
Hollie Cameron's disturbing cellphone video shows dozens of birds lying on the ground outside the building, and captures other birds crashing into the large windows.
WSOC reporter Gina Esposito spoke with the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, who said their rehab team responded to the NASCAR Hall of Fame around 11 p.m. and treated hundreds of birds.
They said a total of 310 birds hit the windows of the building. Roughly one-third of those birds were dead when they arrived, and another third was seriously injured.
The rest appeared to be stunned but will be OK, the organization said.
>> Watch the clip here (WARNING: Some viewers may find the video below disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.)
In the video, Cameron watched as a bird crashed into the window and then fell to the ground, joining dozens of others.
Cameron told WSOC that she was working in the area when she started recording on her phone around 9 p.m.
You can hear her talking with a security guard who claims the phenomenon had been going on for about an hour.
"Oh my God, look at them all," Cameron says in the video. "There's something wrong with them. This is not OK."
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue posted more video on Facebook of the birds at their facility. About 100 of the surviving birds are being treated for broken wings and fractures.
Grand total for tonight 310 birds. Roughly a third were doa, 10 had to be euthanized, 100 are severely injured with broken wings, legs or other fractures, the other third appears stunned and will hopefully be released in a few days. We desperately need help feeding them and will be posting for volunteers tomorrow. They all have to be hand fed. I'm not sure how we will manage but where there is a will there is a way. Tonight we just need some sleep.
Posted by Carolina Waterfowl Rescue on Wednesday, October 16, 2019
The rescue group said the birds are chimney swifts and that the colony lives in a roost. They think something disturbed the colony Tuesday night, causing the birds to fly into the windows at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue officials told WSOC that this was not a naturally occurring event and the birds' migration could not have been a factor because the swifts only migrate during the day.
They plan to investigate more on Wednesday.
CMPD reportedly responded to the scene to begin cleaning up the birds.
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue said rehabbing the injured birds is expensive, and they desperately need volunteers since the birds will need to be hand-fed.
Visit their Facebook page for more details on how you can help.
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