Bird Nesting Season is Here: Practice Safe Vegetation Management

This is a press release from the City of Arcata:

The City of Arcata would like to remind the community that bird nesting season begins on Sunday, Feb. 1 and will last through Aug. 31. Humboldt Bay and its surrounding areas are home to over 100 bird species, so it is especially important that all community members check for active nests before trimming or removing vegetation during nesting season.

The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Migratory Bird Protection Act make it illegal to pursue, hunt, capture, kill or transport any migratory bird or the parts, nests or eggs of such a bird, whether intentional or accidental, except under the terms of a valid federal permit. Contractors are advised to have a qualified biologist conduct nesting bird surveys before beginning any project that requires vegetation removal. Here are some helpful guidelines that all members of the community can follow when trimming or removing vegetation:

How to Check for a Bird’s Nest and What to Do if You Find One:

• • Nests are not only found in trees! Many birds nest in shrubs, ground vegetation, gravel, stream banks and a variety of human-made structures. If a bird is observed repeatedly visiting a nest or suspected nest site, building a nest or sitting on a nest, it is considered “active” with eggs or nestlings.
  • Look for concentrations of white droppings on the ground, then check the vegetation above it.
  • Watch bird behavior for carrying nest material or food to the same place in a patch of vegetation more than once. The actual nest structure is likely to be well-concealed and may not be visible if it is located in dense vegetation.
  • If an active nest is found during surveys, avoid working in the area until the young have fledged. A 50-foot no-work buffer should be applied for songbirds and a 500-foot no-work buffer should be applied for raptors.

When to avoid vegetation management:

• Feb. 1 – Mid-April is the early bird nesting season. During this time, hummingbirds and birds of prey including hawks, owls, kites, eagles, vultures and falcons begin to nest. Major disturbances to vegetation, especially trees, should be avoided unless there is a thorough check for these nesting birds before starting work.
• Mid-April – Aug. 31 is the primary nesting season. Most bird species are nesting and young birds go through the fledging phase. They take shelter in low vegetation and are highly vulnerable to a variety of human disturbances at this critical time. Any disturbance to vegetation should be avoided unless there is a thorough check for active nests before work.
• Weeding and mowing lawns are acceptable activities during these times.

When to plan vegetation management:

• Sept. 1 – Jan. 31 is the best time to plan for tree removal, invasive plant species management, mowing and brush clearing. A tree removal permit is required for the relocation, removal or topping of trees of 16 inches or more in diameter at breast height.

For more information on vegetation management and construction guidelines for the protection of nesting birds, visit cityofarcata.org/307/Construction-Demolition or call the Environmental Services Department at (707) 822-8184.