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USDA removes nuisance egrets 
NESTING INTERRUPTED: Egrets nesting in Taylor trees were evicted from their roosts Wednesday after residents complained of health complications caused by the birds.
photo by JASON SCHAEFER | Order reprints at www.TaylorDailyPress.net |
By Jason Schaefer The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services division visited a Taylor residence Wednesday afternoon to rid the location of a nuisance rookery, a large gathering of egrets. The cattle egrets, large white birds that nest in colonies, are causing damage to trees and lawns in the 2200 block of Carolyn. They are protected by federal law, however, and it is illegal to disturb the nests of the birds or to drive them from their nesting site. However, residents can apply for a permit from the Texas Wildlife Damage Management Service (TWDMS) to remove colonies in extenuating circumstances. In this case, the birds posed a significant health risk to a resident who recently came home from the hospital. The USDA in turn contacted Taylor City Hall to inform them they would remove the birds from the site using lethal force — air rifles — and scare techniques — noise devices including starter pistols and air horns. The noise devices drive the birds away and keep them from returning, but those difficult to drive away were killed. The USDA does not usually remove the birds, especially when they are nesting, unless the colonies pose significant health issues, according to Linda Tschirhart-Hejl, USDA Wildlife Biologist who was at the scene. City officials can apply for removal, but not on the behalf of residents. Residents are responsible for filing their own complaints. Another residence near the corner of Holly and Drake was affected earlier in the year with a similar problem, posing health risks for residents in the area. Those birds were not removed. The City of Taylor was not responsible for the removal of the colony along Carolyn, according to Jean Johnson, Main Street director. “It’s not something we could do for them,” she said. “And they’ve taken the appropriate steps with the USDA to get it done, and they’ve responded, which I think is a good thing.” Federal law protects the species, which is the symbol of the National Audubon Society, from removal and its nests from destruction, unless by permit. To apply for a permit or make a complaint about a nuisance rookery, contact the TWDMS at (210) 472-5451.
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