At a Glance
- The city will host a Jan. 28 community meeting to teach residents how to deter egrets before nesting begins.
- Once egrets build nests or lay eggs, federal law protects them and removal becomes costly and restricted.
- Fort Worth Animal Care & Control holds a special permit for emergency nest removal but wants to avoid using it.
- Why it matters: Early action can spare neighborhoods noise, odor, and sanitation problems while avoiding legal headaches.
Fort Worth is moving early to blunt the annual impact of migratory egrets that have plagued several neighborhoods with noise, stench, and mess. City staff will fan out in targeted areas to show residents how to keep the birds from settling in the first place.
Meeting Set for Jan. 28
The first outreach stop is a public meeting scheduled for Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. inside the Southwest Community Center. Anyone who has battled egrets in past seasons-or wants to protect their property this year-is encouraged to attend.
City representatives will hand out deterrent materials and demonstrate proper installation techniques. The goal is to make yards and trees less attractive before the birds pair off and begin nest construction.
Federal Protection Kicks In Quickly
Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, egrets gain federal protection the moment they build a nest or lay an egg. After that point:
- Residents cannot legally disturb the birds
- Nest removal is prohibited without federal permission
- Violations can bring fines or criminal charges
FWACC does hold a special federal permit that allows emergency removal of hazardous nests in limited situations, but the city stresses that prevention is far simpler and cheaper than intervention after the fact.
Past Seasons Left Neighbors Frustrated
Several Fort Worth neighborhoods have seen large egret colonies take over sections of mature trees. The resulting fallout includes:
- Constant squawking, especially at dawn and dusk
- Strong ammonia-like odor from droppings
- Sidewalks and vehicles coated in white excrement
- Increased insect activity around nesting sites
Because the birds often return to the same roosts year after year, city officials say early deterrent work can break that cycle.
How Residents Can Act Now
FWACC recommends a mix of visual and physical deterrents before the birds arrive:
- Hang reflective tape or old CDs from tree limbs
- Install motion-activated sprinklers near potential roosts
- Use plastic owl or hawk decoys, moving them every few days
- Trim dense canopy to reduce attractive nesting sites
- Cover small ornamental trees with lightweight bird netting
Staff will provide printed instructions and a limited supply of deterrent materials at the Jan. 28 session. Additional supplies can be found at hardware stores or ordered online.
City’s Broader Strategy
The outreach push is part of a three-pronged plan:
- Education: Teach residents and neighborhood associations what works and when to act
- Early Action: Encourage property owners to install deterrents before the first scouts arrive
- Monitoring: Track reports of egret activity so staff can respond quickly if birds settle in a new area
Code Compliance officers will also inspect problem zones later in the season to ensure no one accidentally violates federal rules by trimming trees that contain active nests.
Where to Get More Help
Residents who cannot attend the meeting can download the complete Egret Prevention Guide from the city’s Code Compliance website. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Migratory Bird Management page offers additional details on federal regulations.
For questions or to report early egret sightings, call Fort Worth Animal Care & Control through the city’s main switchboard.
Key Takeaways
- Act before nesting: Once eggs are laid, options shrink and costs rise
- Jan. 28 meeting offers free materials and expert guidance
- Federal law protects active nests, making prevention the only reliable defense
- City permit allows emergency removal but is reserved for rare, hazardous situations
- Combined effort between residents and FWACC aims to reduce neighborhood impact while keeping birds safe
