HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0006) IR 21-10588 - Bird Relocation ProgramINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10588
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 18, 2021
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SUBJECT: UPDATE ON BIRD RELOCATION PROGRAM
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In 1995, the City realized the importance of relocating nuisance birds. At that time, the City's efforts were limited to grackles in
the downtown area, the Water Gardens, General Worth Square, Burnett Park and City Hall. On January 18, 2005, the Bird
Relocation Program added propane cannons and cracker shells that were used to disperse the birds. Responses from the
businesses and residents were mostly supportive. Due to this success, requests were received from businesses and citizens to
expand the program and provide resources and assistance for their participation. The grackle relocation program in parks and on
City property utilizes sound machines, high intensity light, bird distress sounds, laser guns and blasts from shotguns using
cracker shells.
In the last 20 years or so, residential neighborhoods with coveted large mature trees in Fort Worth and most North Texas cities
began experiencing heronries (nesting areas of herons, egrets, and other similar migratory birds), which can be offensive
nuisances because of noise, odor, and concern about possible health hazards (broken eggs, decomposing birds, associated
parasitic insects, and diseases such as psittacosis ornithosis, histoplasmosis, encephalitis, and arbovirus). Also, heronries may
damage vegetation primarily due to the accumulation of excrement. Furthermore, excrement, debris, as well as dead and dying
birds, fall upon parked vehicles, yard equipment, lawn furniture, etc. Each year, residents suffer thousands of dollars of losses
due to these heronries and the City spends thousands of dollars mitigating the damage to streets and sidewalks.
Since 2010, the City has been assisting neighborhoods and homeowners with issues related to these heronries. The difference
with these birds are that the bird species typically associated with nuisance heronries are protected under both state and federal
laws including the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 ("MBTA"). The MBTA prevents the taking of these birds, which
includes disturbing nests, eggs and nestlings during active nesting. Therefore, management efforts are generally limited to
attempts to prevent nesting in residential neighborhoods and relocating of these birds to rural and natural setting where their
nesting does not create a nuisance.
Last year, the City obtained a federal depredation permit which allows the city to use more aggressive relocation techniques as
well as collection, possession and disposition of dead and injured birds. Code Compliance personnel work closely with affected
neighborhoods and have held numerous virtual and in person educational meetings prior to the beginning and throughout nesting
season (February through June). Current relocation techniques include extensive tree trimming during the winter and, when
birds begin to arrive, noise and visual deterrents similar to those used in relocating grackles from entertainment and commercial
areas of the city.
Staff have thoroughly investigated options regarding these bird populations. Propane air cannons and blasts from bird bangers
(pyrotechnics) are the most feasible and effective methods for moving birds out from residential neighborhoods and city parks.
To avoid unnecessary concerns, city staff coordinate with FWPD and residents prior to each use of sound devices. A fact sheet
describing the program is also distributed to neighborhood associations in the surrounding area, residents and the media. The bird
scare tactics take place about 2 hours before dusk when birds are seen attempting to nest.
The use of air cannons, cracker shells and other noise makers will periodically generate noise complaints from uninformed
citizens. Code Compliance works closely with the Police Department, neighborhood associations and individual neighborhoods
to minimize the ongoing impact of these measures and be responsive to complaints when they arise. Citizens with concerns or
complaints are urged to contact Code Compliance through the City's Call Center at (817) 392-1234.
Currently the most affected areas have been in the Candleridge and Wedgwood neighborhoods in Southwest Fort Worth and in
the Summerfields neighborhood in northeast Fort Worth. For further information, please contact Brandon Bennett, Director of
Code Compliance at (817) 392-6322.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS