US hailstorm slaughters 11,000 birds in Montana park

[Ptah]

7. Aug 16, 2019 - Thousands of birds found dead in Stillwater County following hail storm

Posted: 4:28 PM, Aug 16, 2019 Updated: 7:09 PM, Aug 16, 2019

BILLINGS — About 11,000 birds were found dead or maimed by state biologists at the Big Lake Wildlife Management Area west of Molt as a result of last weekend's hail storm.

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks biologists picked up carcasses this week of ducks and shorebirds with broken wings, smashed skulls, internal damage, and other injuries consistent with massive blunt-force trauma, the agency said Friday in a news release.

Thousands more dead or badly injured waterfowl and wetland birds were also found in and around the lake.

On Sunday, the communities of Molt and Rapelje were hammered by strong winds and two-inch hail that battered crops, homes, and vehicles.

https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/thousands-of-birds-found-dead-in-stillwater-county-following-hail-storm