Birds throughout Maryland love to nest in trees around residential homes. It’s important to be cautious when you spot a nest, as you don’t want to cause any harm to birds or their young while protecting and maintaining your trees. Here are some helpful tips for how to safely handle bird nests in your tree.
- Figure out whether or not the nest is active. Do not approach or try to remove a nest right away. Identify whether or not there are birds currently living in the nest. Use binoculars if needed, and keep an eye on the nest for a few days. Note whether it sees any activity and, if it does, whether or not there are baby birds present.
- Identify what the nest is made up of. Do you recognize any of the components of the nest? Different species of birds use different materials to build their nests, and handling the nest can be easier if you are able to identify what the nest is made of. Common items include:
- Grass
- Sticks
- Feathers
- Mud
- Moss
- Identify the species of bird nesting there. With an active nest, it’s easier to determine the species of bird nesting there, as you are able to observe and take notes when the birds are present. An empty nest is more difficult, especially if the bird hasn’t left any feathers or other traces of its presence behind. If there are eggs, the appearance of them may help you identify the type of bird that is living in your tree.
- Check with local bird’s nest removal laws. In many areas, it is unlawful to disturb the nest of certain birds, even if they are nesting in a tree on your personal property. If a protected species of bird is nesting in your tree, you may be fined or penalized if you remove or alter the nest.
- Contact your local arborist. If you’re unsure of whether or not the nest is harming your tree, call Nelson Tree Specialists. We are Maryland experts in tree health and tree maintenance and have the expertise to assist you with any questions you have or services you need regarding your residential trees.