Egrets & Herons in Copperfield
April 01 2023
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| Great Blue Heron | Great Egret | Yellow-Crowned Night Heron |
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| Little Blue Heron | Snowy Egret | Cattle Egret |
EGRETS AND HERONS
Long-legged migratory water birds known as egrets and herons are important components of Texas wildlife and are part of the natural predator-prey cycle. However, when they make their homes in our yards or adjacent to the Copperfield neighborhood amenities (pools and playgrounds) their presence becomes an issue due to noise, odor, excrement, and protentional health hazards. Depending on the breed of bird, the nesting season can begin as early as February (Yellow-Crowned Night Heron) and March (Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, and Snowy Egrets), and can last through October. So now is the time to familiarize yourself with the variety that have been in our area in previous years. (See images above). To prevent the development of a rookery, now is the time to be on the lookout for the return of these birds.
These birds are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and it is illegal to pursue, hunt, take, wound/injure, capture, kill, sell or transport any migratory bird, nest, egg or part thereof. However, there are steps that we can take to reduce the chance of the birds nesting in our neighborhood.
What CAN you do?
- Watch for the sentry birds. They are the “scout” birds that arrive prior to the herons and egrets.
- Use a combination of scaring devices BEFORE migratory birds lay eggs.
- As soon as you see birds on or near your property, begin using a combination of scare tactics.
- Noise deterrents: Predator calls, noisemakers, water spray (do not spray them directly), or shine lights at night.
- Visual deterrents: Hang “scary eye” balloons or other moving objects (mylar streamers) in trees.
- Use long poles, or water hoses to disturb EARLY nesting material.
What you CANNOT do.
- Harm birds or eggs. These birds are protected and harming them could result in fines and/or jail time.
- You cannot harass or disturb the birds when they are actively nesting. Once a bird in the area begins sitting on a nest, eggs are probably present and you can no longer harass any bird in the area.
- DO NOT attempt to handle birds or eggs.
It is legal to use scare tactics if there are no active nests. This means that ALL harassment and scare tactics MUST STOP once the first egg is laid.
