Egret season is coming. A how-to on preparing for migratory birds

Fort Worth Animal Care & Control is getting ahead of egret season by helping residents prepare before these migratory birds arrive. Over the years, several Fort Worth neighborhoods have been heavily impacted by egret colonies. These birds can create major noise, odor and sanitation concerns. And, once nesting begins, their colonies are federally protected, making their removal difficult and costly.

It’s important to take action early. To help prevent issues before they start, the City will visit select neighborhoods to share prevention tips and demonstrate how to use deterrent materials effectively. Community leaders from District 9 will host the first meeting on Jan. 28 at Southwest Community Center at 6 p.m. Residents who have previously dealt with egrets or who want to protect their property this season are encouraged to attend.

Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, egrets become federally protected once they’ve nested or laid eggs. At that point, residents cannot disturb them or remove nests. FWACC holds a special permit allowing for the removal of hazardous nests in limited emergency situations, but the goal is to avoid reaching that stage whenever possible.

This season, the City’s goal is to help residents prepare early and safely manage their properties before nesting begins. Through proactive outreach and community participation, FWACC aims to minimize the need for emergency intervention, reduce the impact of these birds on our neighborhoods and protect the birds themselves.

Resources

For a complete Egret Prevention Guide, visit the Code Compliance website.

For more information about migratory bird regulations, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Migratory Bird Management page.

View an informative video.