Virginia DWR says mass Tappahannock bird deaths are still a mystery

ESSEX COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- After the initial investigation into how dozens of birds were found dead on a Tappahannock bridge on Saturday, Dec. 27, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) investigators said on Monday that the immediate causes of death are still unknown.

The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) will now do a full necropsy, similar to an autopsy for humans.

NWHC hopes to know more by the middle of next week, according to DWR.

DWR also said no similar incidents have been reported.

8News spoke with Tappahannock local Wayne Veney, who snapped pictures and a video of the birds lying dead just before 9 a.m. on Saturday. He said it's been the talk of the town ever since.

"Man, there's dead birds out here everywhere," Veney said in his video. "These jokers are bleeding from the mouth."

Veney says it's typical to see birds flying in the area, but added he's surprised and upset after arriving at the scene. He said he was hoping for a good outcome for all humans and animals.

Dozens of dead birds seen on the bridge over Hopkins Creek in Tappahannock. (Photo: Wayne Veney)

Dozens of dead birds seen on the bridge over Hopkins Creek in Tappahannock. (Photo: Wayne Veney)

One of dozens of dead birds seen on the bridge over Hopkins Creek in Tappahannock. (Photo: Wayne Veney)

One of dozens of dead birds seen on the bridge over Hopkins Creek in Tappahannock. (Photo: Wayne Veney)

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"Some folks are afraid to let their pets even go out and do their thing, so we would like a resolution," Veney said. "The Northern Neck is a place of love and care, whether it's birds, animals, pets, children running around, so we just want to make sure that everybody in our neighborhood is safe, that we don't have to worry about those things of different viruses and sicknesses going on. We can just live in peace. It's 2026!"

Investigators said these birds likely had bird flu. If you see a mass of dead birds, they advise you to stay away.