Published on July 31, 2024

Migratory Birds and You

If you see a bird in a tree, leave it be!

Did you know? Migratory bird season started April 15 and continues until August 15 as per the federal Migratory Bird Convention Act (MBCA). During this time, the City urges residents to check their trees for bird nests when planning any tree removals or trimming.

If a nest is found during migratory bird season, it is critical to hold off on removing or trimming the tree until after migratory bird season has ended. It is important to note that many species will extend past this August 15th timeline in case of a second nest attempt, so it is best practice to keep that in mind when planning tree work.

“Nesting birds must be handled with caution. Some birds, upon having their nests disrupted, may abandon their eggs entirely. Others may suffer direct mortality through tree trimming or removal,” says Melissa Logan, Environmental Coordinator - Sturgeon River & Natural Areas."Migratory birds are protected through federal legislation, and disregarding these regulations can lead to financial penalties, or even jail time.”

Bird sitting on a pipe

Bird sitting beside water

Types of Migratory Birds and Their Importance

“Residents should be on the lookout for any bird besides crows, blue jays and magpies,” explains Melissa. “Robins, Canada geese, all songbirds, all waterfowl, woodpeckers, owls and other raptors are all protected and present in St. Albert.”

Owls and other raptors such as hawks and eagles are protected under the provincial Wildlife Act.

These migratory birds contribute to biodiversity, play an important role in ecosystems, and are indicators of the health of the environment. Conserving migratory bird populations, which includes protecting individuals and their nests, is an important element of halting and reversing biodiversity loss in Canada.

City Work and Bird Sweeps

When City-led construction work or tree removal is taking place, professional biologists are hired to complete bird sweeps before construction begins, or before any tree removal. The bird sweeps are valid for five days which means a large-scale project may require multiple bird sweeps throughout the work, depending on construction phasing.

“Our City arborists are trained to look for nesting birds when they are doing tree work and the Environment branch works closely with other departments which may come into contact with migratory birds during their work,” says Melissa. “For example, we will provide advice regarding the sensitivity periods, and will review bird sweeps once they are completed. We can then follow up on protective measures such as setbacks while we are out completing inspections on the job site.”

Additional Resources

Want to learn more about bird sweeps and the migratory bird season?


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Last edited: July 31, 2024