Clearing Land During Nesting Season Can Hurt Wildlife
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
~wildlife education~
Nesting season on Vancouver Island begins mid-March and extends through mid-September. Clearing trees or other vegetation or draining or flooding land for development, particularly if undertaken during nesting season, can harm migratory and native birds, their nests or eggs, resulting in long-term negative effects on bird populations.
Photo credit: istock.com/Simon002
Before starting any clearing activity that may affect bird nests, buffer zones should be established to protect existing nests and their surrounding environment.
Keep up to date with the latest guidelines and government regulations regarding the protection of migratory birds and their nests. Migratory bird regulations protect migratory birds, their eggs and their nests, by prohibiting activities that can cause them harm.
Unless you have a permit, or the regulations provide authorization, you are prohibited from capturing, killing, injuring or harassing migratory birds; destroying or disturbing an egg; or damaging, destroying, removing or disturbing a nest, unless the nest does not contain a live migratory bird or a viable egg; and the nest was not built by a species that is listed in Schedule 1 of the Migratory Birds Regulations. The nests of species listed in Schedule 1 are protected, unless notification of unoccupied nests has been submitted through the Abandoned Nest Registry; the wait time designated in the regulations has passed, and during the wait time the nests have not been occupied by a migratory bird. Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles and Pileated Woodpeckers are on the list of species whose nests and nest trees are protected year-round.
The way land is cleared to remove trees, vegetation, rocks, stumps, etc., and what’s done afterward can significantly affect local ecosystems and long-term sustainability. Depending on the location and size of the project, clearing may involve bulldozers, chainsaws, or controlled burning, all of which can have major impacts on the ecosystem.
Land clearing destroys natural habitats. Forests, wetlands, and brushlands are home to a wide range of plants, animals, and insects. Removing the natural habitats disrupts complex food webs and forces wildlife to relocate or disappear altogether. No wonder wildlife often appears in our backyards!
The root systems of trees and vegetation also prevent wind and water from washing topsoil away. Once vegetation is removed, rapid erosion may result, leaving the land less suitable for growing anything but invasive weeds.
Please be considerate of migratory birds and other wildlife in your development plans.
You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!
Comments