It’s Illegal to Harm a ! What to Do if an Active Nest Keep Bird Safe with Chicks is Cut Down All work that has the potential to harm or and destroy an active nest should stop in the If damage has already occurred (the limb immediate vicinity. has been cut and a nest of chicks is now on the Your Healthy! ground), the outcome can be positive. If the nestlings are not injured, place the nest back in the tree, if possible, and secure it firmly to a branch. The nest must be protected from sun and conditions in addition to being concealed.

If the nest is beyond repair, make a new nest from a small container or cardboard box lined with paper towels or tissues. Hungry chicks will let parents know where they are! Orioles that migrate to Redlands often build nests under palm fronds (Photo by Stephen Myers) Nestlings only need to be rescued if they are If you witness tree trimmers or anyone disturbing injured. Symptoms of injury include falling or destroying an active nest (one with viable over on their side, wing tweaked upward or or chicks), ask them to STOP! drooping, or bleeding. Let them know it is against the law. (CA Fish Keep chicks warm and call your local Animal & Game Code § 3503 (2018) Cite information Control, or an area wildlife rehabilitator (see about the California Migratory Bird https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Lab Protection Act and California State Code. If oratories/Wildlife- they do not cooperate, call the CALTIP Investigations/Rehab/Facilities) (Photo by Stephen Myers) number below; give exact information about location, cross streets, name of offending Because most bird nests are concealed, it is company, vehicle license plate number, etc. best to do tree trimming between September It’s best to trim trees  Take photographs! Evidence is needed that and January to avoid the nesting season. and shrubs in fall and are definitely nesting.  Find someone in authority such as a building winter to avoid manager, city staff, or park ranger to let them harming nesting birds know what is happening. and to keep your  Consider social media and the local press if plants healthy! the practice continues.

To report bird harassment, killing and/or City of Redlands Facilities & Community Services Department destruction of bird nests, call the (909) 798-7655 California Department of Fish & Wildlife at (888) 334-2258 (CALTIP number). This barn was left exposed in Redlands by a tree trimming company and had to be rescued. Adapted from a Sea & Sage Audubon publication, with input by local (Photo by Emily Bendemire) State certified bird rehabilitators. Many Birds Nest in Southern California What to Know About Nesting Birds Important Ways to Keep Your Trees Healthy According to Audubon California and local We share our urban landscape with breeding bird rehabilitators, most birds nest between Cities and homeowners spend money to plant birds that live here year-round or migrate here in February 1 and August 31 in Southern trees and shrubs to increase the beauty and spring and summer. California. value of their property. It’s normal practice to trim Great Horned and Ravens begin nesting in Birds provide many useful functions in the trees, prune shrubs and in January, while Orioles and Mockingbirds can environment such as eating insect pests and clear brush as part of our nest through August, sometimes later. Certified dispersing seeds, along with providing landscape maintenance. bird rehabbers note that , hawks, enjoyment to bird-watchers. However, severely cutting owls and other nests are found any time of year. or topping trees can

damage them and lessen  Always check for active nests before their lifespan. trimming. Tree trimming during nesting

season can result in destruction of nests,

eggs and young birds. Keep these tips in mind: (Photo by Trude Hurd)

 Cutting when plants are growing creates a  Do not disturb large nests. Some birds re- pathway for pests to reach the inner sap. use nests every year – beware of large stick Fall – when trees are dormant - is the best nests of hawks, owls, crows, ravens, Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk nesting by Redlands time to trim. Community Hospital (Photo by Emily Bendemire) and egrets.

 Too many trees are trimmed excessively, What the Law Says About Bird Nests  Most bird nests are well camouflaged. which stresses the tree and causes Songbirds conceal nests so they are virtually sunburn. Pine trees and other conifers There are laws that protect birds, their nests, impossible to detect even by the best should not be cut so severely that you can eggs, and young from being removed, destroyed arborists. see through them. Avoid tree topping, the or harassed. Violating these federal, state, and city laws may result in fines and imprisonment. cutting of large branches to stubs.  Moving a nest is illegal and requires special permission from the U.S. Fish and  Carefully consider tree species before  The California Migratory Bird Protection Wildlife Service. If the nest with eggs or planting and obtain proper permission if Act of 2019 makes it unlawful to take or young is disturbed, the parent birds may required. Putting the right tree in the right possess any migratory nongame bird as abandon the nest. place will prevent future problems. designated in the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 703 et seq.), or  Consider hiring a Certified Arborist. Tree any part of a migratory nongame bird. trimming companies are not required to have education on tree care.  Additionally, California Fish and Game Code 3503 states “It is unlawful to take, Please share this brochure with possess, or needlessly destroy the nest or eggs of any bird…” tree trimmers, homeowners Bird nests, such as this ’s, are associations or others.  Individual Cities may have additional laws often hidden and easily missed (Photo by Steve Myers) protecting birds and their nests.