WERC needs help identifying building where baby cliff swallows are nesting
Editor,
WERC need the public’s help. We received a phone call from a person who said that nests containing hundreds of baby cliff swallows were about to be destroyed at a professional building in Morgan Hill. Unfortunately, the call was cut short and we didn’t get the person’s name or phone number. If anyone is aware of the situation, we are asking for them to contact WERC ASAP at 779-9372 or we**@we*****.org. Please help us save the lives of these baby birds.
Nesting season is typically March to September. It’s against state and federal laws to remove, destroy or disturb most nesting wild native birds, their nests or their eggs. Special government permits are required to remove occupied nests and are only justified for a strongly compelling reason, i.e., when the location creates a health hazard to humans.
Once all the babies have fledged and left the nest, only then is it OK to knock or wash down the empty nests. Â
Granted, the area under swallow nests can get a bit messy, but swallows are a wonderful method of natural pest control, voraciously feeding on pesky insects like flies, beetles and mosquitoes. Â
Sue Howell, Executive Director, Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center
