THOUSANDS of blackbirds plummeted to their deaths in front of horrified New Year revellers in a small Arkansas town.

Thousands of blackbirds plummeted to their deaths in front of horrified New Year revellers in a small Arkansas town.

BEFORE I tell ye the startling truth that countless millions of American sports lovers were riveted to their TV screens a few hours ago by a unique display of hurling by hardy American soldiers, can I say there are already signs the sporting year we have just begun will be a memorable one on many fronts.

Wildlife officials in the US are trying to determine what caused more than 1,000 blackbirds to die and fall from the sky over an Arkansas town.