BIRD NESTS AND MIGRATORY BIRDS

Removing trees and limbing trees is an important piece when it comes to FireSmarting your property. It is important to consider nesting birds during the time of your work.

Under Section 34 of the Wildlife Act, it is an offense to disturb or destroy an active bird nest.  Under the Canadian Nesting Calendar, in the Prince George Area , the nesting/breeding season is late April to Mid-August. Nesting periods - Canada.ca

If pruning, removing a tree or other vegetation from property, you must ensure that there are no active bird nests in the tree, branches, vegetation.  

If you do find an active nest, the tree, branches, vegetation must be left alone until all birds have left the nest.  Nests of eagle, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, osprey, heron or burrowing owl are protected under the Wildlife Act, regardless of whether the nest is active or inactive.

The Federal Migratory Bird Convention Act – protects EVERY migratory bird. Under this legislation for smaller migratory birds, you can remove the nest once the chicks fledge. Other species such as eagles, ospreys, endangered bank swallows, etc have nests with year-round protection regardless of occupation largely due to the fact that they reuse those nests  every year.  For those scheduled species, one must obtain a permit before any nest removal. 

Fact sheet: Nest Protection under the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 - Canada.ca

Questions email: miworthemergprep@outlook.com