Egrets Heading Our Way To Nest in AH Trees
People who have driven behind the Witte Museum in April and May surely noticed the huge flocks of large white-feathered birds nesting in trees and saturating the ground with their droppings. The birds are Egrets and they are a federally protected migratory bird.
Recently, the City of Alamo Heights posted an alert for residents to be advised that egrets may be attempting to settle on private property north of the Patterson and Torcido area. The city noted, “Egrets, specifically cattle egrets and snowy egrets, flock in very large numbers once a roosting site is established, typically in tall, dense trees. When they choose a site in a residential area, this can present problems to homeowners and neighbors from the noise, stench, and damage to vegetation, roofs, and sidewalks caused by their droppings.”
Egrets and other migratory birds are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is, therefore, illegal to shoot, hunt, capture, kill, or harm them.
The city added, “If scout egrets begin to settle at your private property, it is strongly recommended to deter the birds by legal means before more egrets arrive and establish nests. Once egrets start nesting and producing eggs, they are protected under federal law.
The city urged “Property owners to make loud noises and sounds – by legal means – to encourage the birds to relocate elsewhere. Using tools like air horns, loud bells, and banging pots and pans to produce noises. Hanging bright streamers in trees, water nozzles, and ‘scare eye balloons’ are also common tactics to frighten away birds.
“These activities should be performed as soon as scout birds are seen on one’s property.” If they nest and hatch eggs, they must be left alone. For more information, residents can contact Alamo Heights’ deputy police chief, Cindy Pruitt, at (210) 832-2217.
