City officials in Fort Worth are urging residents to gear up for egret season, offering tips to head off problems from these migratory birds before they settle in local neighborhoods.
Fort Worth Animal Care & Control plans to visit targeted areas to educate homeowners on deterrent strategies, aiming to curb noise, odors, and sanitation issues that have plagued some communities in past years.
Once established with nests, the birds’ colonies fall under federal protection, complicating and raising the cost of any removal efforts.
The initiative kicks off with a community meeting hosted by District 9 leaders on January 28 at 6 p.m. at the Southwest Community Center. It’s open to anyone who’s faced egret challenges before or seeks to safeguard their property this season.
Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, egrets gain protection as soon as they nest or lay eggs, barring residents from interfering with or dismantling nests. The animal control agency holds a limited permit for removing dangerous nests in urgent cases, but officials emphasize avoiding such scenarios through advance preparation.
By focusing on early property management and community involvement, the city hopes to reduce emergency responses and mitigate the impact of birds in local areas.
Fort Worth has seen growing egret populations that, despite their scenic appeal from afar, bring drawbacks like heavy droppings coating roofs, sidewalks, trees, and vehicles; strong smells from waste buildup; harm to structures, plants, and cars; expensive cleanups, including potential roof replacements; and ongoing maintenance for pools and yards.
City workers can’t intervene after nesting starts due to legal safeguards, but prevention measures can stop colonies from forming.
Key steps involve rendering properties unappealing well ahead of arrival:
From October to January, clear out old nests, prune trees to reduce canopy density below 70% — ideally in January by thinning foliage and cutting dead branches — and remove ground debris like twigs that birds might use to build nests.
In January through early March, keep an eye out for initial “scout” birds such as yellow-crowned night herons that stake out spots, and notify neighbors or associations about sightings to enable quick responses.
During February and March, use non-harmful deterrents such as air horns, water sprays from hoses, nighttime lights, owl replicas, or reflective, mobile items. Early nests without eggs can be dismantled using tools like poles or hoses.
Disturbing nests with eggs is illegal under federal rules. Watch for species including yellow-crowned night herons in February, followed in March by cattle egrets, great egrets, great blue herons, little blue herons, and snowy egrets.
For dead bird disposal, residents can bag them and place them at the curb for pickup by solid waste teams Monday through Saturday; contact 817-392-1234 for help.
Officials stress acting ahead of time while complying with laws, and encourage sharing strategies neighborhood-wide for the best results.
More details on egret prevention are available on the city’s Migratory Birds page, along with regulatory information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Migratory Bird Management.
Other cities across North Texas, including Garland and Arlington, have faced similar issues with egrets establishing rookeries in their neighborhoods. In the past, Arlington has distributed egret invasion kits to homeowners, although there is no word on whether the city plans to do so this year.