Migratory Bird Treaty Act dictates weir maintenance calendar
Did you know that one tiny bird egg can stop maintenance in its tracks? Because of federal protections from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, these activities in the Wash are carefully coordinated to avoid ever harming or disrupting bird nesting.
Due to these protections, most large-scale activities take place during the winter months, before nesting season. When that schedule can’t be met, a biologist must thoroughly investigate each area just before clearing to ensure that no active nesting is taking place.
If a nest is found, all activity must avoid the area until any hatched fledglings are mature enough to leave the nest on their own.
