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Home My WebLink AboutIR 10645 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10645 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 24, 2021 ter$4 Page 1 of 2 �i s SUBJECT: UPDATE ON EGRET MIGRATION & PUBLIC 1q �rA 1875 EDUCATION/OUTREACH EFFORTS Issue Fort Worth is located along a major migration path for migratory birds. Migratory birds are those which move between breeding grounds and wintering grounds seasonally, generally breeding in the north and overwintering in the south. Note: 70% of U.S. bird species are migratory. Migratory birds offer a variety of both opportunities and challenges to the residents of Fort Worth, and the community has developed several strategies in supporting bird migration while also responding to challenges. Lights Out / Dark Skies During the spring of 2021, city staff coordinated an education campaign with Downtown Fort Worth Inc. to encourage the reduction of artificial lighting during peak bird migration days at the time in which birds are traveling the most (11:00pm-6:00am). These efforts resulted in 11 major buildings downtown lowering lights. These efforts will be replicated during the spring and fall of each year to protect migratory birds. Egret Roosting and Nesting In the past 20 years, residential neighborhoods with coveted large mature trees in Fort Worth and most North Texas cities began experiencing heronries (nesting of herons, egrets and other similar migratory birds), which can be offensive nuisances because of noise, odor andconcern about possible health hazards (broken eggs, decomposing birds, associated parasitic insects, and diseases. Egrets are migratory birds that commonly nest in large groups called rookeries. Rookeries of as many as 1,300 nests have been seen in Fort Worth. When these rookeries are established in residential areas, they result in significant noise, accumulated bird waste and damage to trees and other vegetation primariy due to the accumulation of excrement. Management efforts are generally limited to attempts to prevent nesting in residentual neighborhoods and relocating of these birds to rural and natural settings where their nesting does not create a nuisance. The Federal Migratory Bird Treaty of 1918 prevents the taking of migratory birds, which include disturbing nests, eggs and nestlings during active nesting. Typically, birds will return to the same location each year. Bird "scouts" appear first to find habital places. In anticipation of this, Code staff conducts numerous educational meetings and educational materials prior to the beginning and throughout the nesting season (February through June). Included in the meetings and materials are steps residents can take to proactively prevent and minimize the egrets from residing in a residential neighborhood. These typically include noise and visual deterrents. The bird scare tactics take place about two hours before dusk when birds are seen attempting to nest. Staff also works with residents in impacted areas to humanely disperse the birds before nesting occurs. If a rookery is established, staff will also assist with dead animal removal, extra trash removal and other ad hoc services. Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.'s Operation Grackle Grackles gather in flocks of many hundreds of birds and are perceived as a nuisance by many. Downtown Fort Worth Inc. (DFWI) utilizes an outside contractor to dissuade flocks of grackles from gathering in the downtown area through non-lethal methods of exclusion including lasers, clappers, telescoping poles, foggers and even Harris Hawks. DFWI's program is award-winning and is a model for other cities to follow. Education Efforts & Policy Manual ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10645 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 24, 2021 ter$4 Page 2 of 2 �i s SUBJECT: UPDATE ON EGRET MIGRATION & PUBLIC 1q �rA 1875 EDUCATION/OUTREACH EFFORTS During Spring 2021, when egrets were noticed in the Candleridge area, the following educational efforts took place. It is planned that similar educational efforts will occur in Candelridge area during Spring 2022 as well as new areas of Fort Worth where birds may be spotted. • Presentations at neighborhood and community meetings with Code staff and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Articles in City News, NextDoor and Community Engagement Bulletin • Encouraging residents to report sightings via the wildlife section on the MyFW app Code Compliance has a wildlife team that works directly with residents and neighborhood groups to provide education on how to humanely discourage/manage egret rookeries. This includes identifying the birds and discouraging nesting. This is the best option as dollars are then not required for egret cleanup. The Park & Recreation Department is developing a conservation policy that will provide guidance on managing buffer habitats for wildlife, including birds. Code Compliance has taken the lead in developing a policy manual that will serve as a reference for all departments and greater community/City collaboration on efforts to manage and protect migratory birds. Additional information and education on migratory birds will be developed and diseminated as part of this process. Information on Lights Out /_Dark Skies is posted to the City's website and distributed in City newsletters. Future Designation as a Bird City Texas City staff is partnering with community groups across Fort Worth to complete an application to Bird City Texas. This program is through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and honors commitments to protecting birds in communities across the state. Many programs within the city will be highlighted including education efforts, citizen science, habitats and restoration projects and ongoing projects. For questions regarding this information, please contact Brandon Bennett at 817-392-6322 or Sandra Youngblood at 817-392-5755. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS