Herons Arrive in February: Be On The Lookout!

TANGLEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
FEB. 2013
Tanglewood
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Herons Arrive in February: Be On The Lookout!
Yellow-Crown
Night Heron
Great Blue
Heron
Little Blue
Heron
Cattle Egret
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Each species has a different breeding period. Be on the lookout for these birds beginning at these times:
February - Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
March - Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret
More information can be found at: http://fortworthtexas.gov/migratorybirds
When you see these birds in Tanglewood, contact the association (link below), so we can get the word out to the whole
neighborhood. Yellow- or Black-crowned Night Herons are not usually a nuisance, but the presence of night herons lets
other migrating birds know they’ve found a good place to nest. When night herons arrive in February, messy, noisy
egrets won’t be far behind in March. Last spring, egrets nested in trees in several neighbors’ yards, destroying property
and creating a stench that lasted all summer long. Wildlife experts say the egrets will return to the Tanglewood area in
even greater numbers this year. Report sightings: (http://www.tanglewood-neighbors.org/TNA/BirdWatch2013.html).
Time to Take Action:
When night herons are spotted, Tanglewood Neighborhood Association
will place yard signs at well-traveled intersections throughout the
neighborhood. When you see these signs, it’s time to get busy!
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Check your trees TWICE a day—morning and evening
Watch for nest making in your trees
Remove the start of any nests
Scare away egrets and herons
Birds can build nests in just two days! Don’t harm birds—it’s a federal
offense punishable by a very costly fine on conviction. But use
noisemakers, scare-balloons and other visual deterrents to convince
them to move on. Scare-balloons should be installed soon, but no later
than mid-February, to be effective.
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TANGLEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
FEB. 2013
#1 Egret Prevention Tool - Trim Your Trees:
It’s not too late! February is a good month for tree trimming. Remove deadwood and thin
tree canopy to allow sunlight between limbs and other trees. Migratory birds like 75% or
greater tree canopy, so well-trimmed trees are less attractive for nesting.
Got Your Egret Toolkit Ready?
More than 50 Tanglewood and Overton Park neighbors attended our Egret
Prevention Party January 20, learning what to have on hand and what to do when
migratory birds begin returning to the neighborhood in February. If you couldn’t
attend, visit the Tanglewood Neighborhood Association website for details:
www.tanglewood-neighbors.org On the website, you’ll find:
• Photos – so you can recognize birds and their nests
• Directions – for making visual deterrents and installing them in your trees
• Supply lists – inexpensive things you can buy to help prevent nesting
The Tanglewood NA has limited supplies to loan to neighbors during the nesting
season: scare balloons, poles for nest removal, air horns, a laser light. Supplies
will be stored at neighbor Rick Shepherd’s house: 3216 Preston Hollow Rd.
Need Help?
Not sure whether that’s a bird or a squirrel nest in your tree? Not sure how to get it down? Tanglewood
neighbor Rick Shepherd is a Master Naturalist who has volunteered to help identify nests and determine
the best way to remove them. If you need help, please contact Rick Shepherd at 817-320-6383 (cell) or
817-926-6962 (home) or email: [email protected]
Thank You!
Westside Pool Service for donating several used, but usable pool poles that TNA will modify as nest
removal tools.
Central Market for allowing TNA to use its Community Room free of charge for last month’s Egret
Prevention Party.
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