And I mean "stiff" as in if you're caught doing certain things, it's a felony. Now, "moving a nest" isn't (usually) on the felonies list, but even as a misdemeanor, it's PER BIRD. There were HOW many trees along that sidewalk???
The trees that were cut down were a species of ficus, and more than 50 species of birds have been known to nest in & feed on ficus trees. From herons to hummingbirds (both protected species, btw), ficus trees are incredibly biodiverse.
Do you know how big a hummingbird's nest is? THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. It can take DAYS of proper searching to find one in a mature tree. There have been other instances of folks being fined by cities in CA because their tree pruning harmed egret nests, for a start.
So. All that to say: I sincerely hope that someone at the @lacontroller's office is paying attention to the BIRD LAW side of things, and has made a call to the Audubon Society, wildlife biologists, etc. because this is bigger than just TREE LAW.
Also, if anyone sees @DannyDeVito on the picket line, give him "CAN I OFFER YOU SOME NICE BIRD LAW IN THESE TRYING TIMES" as a picket sign idea, for free, from me, just a humble nerdy attorney in the PNW.
By far the best response to my thread I e seen so far…
By far the best response to my thread I e seen so far…
Sing it with me!
I don’t actually know how they’d prove bird harm, that’s beyond my knowledge base & skill set. But it’s conceptually impossible for there to be that many trees and NOT have been any birds nesting in/feeding at them.
I don’t actually know how they’d prove bird harm, that’s beyond my knowledge base & skill set. But it’s conceptually impossible for there to be that many trees and NOT have been any birds nesting in/feeding at them.
It’s criminal, where the burden is USUALLY on the prosecution, but I don’t know enough about the niche to know if there’s a burden shift or not.
It’s criminal, where the burden is USUALLY on the prosecution, but I don’t know enough about the niche to know if there’s a burden shift or not.
They don’t have to be endangered. The list of protected birds is long. We had a family of swifts living in our chimney years ago & couldn’t use the fireplace until they left b/c it would’ve harmed them as an incident to the usual use of the fireplace. fws.gov/law/migratory-…
Not nearly as many times as the bird law guy from the show I’ve only seen a tiny bit of and the memes (please don’t tell me to watch it, I dislike shows about terrible people, I’ve seen enough to know it’s not my style and that’s ok).
Not nearly as many times as the bird law guy from the show I’ve only seen a tiny bit of and the memes (please don’t tell me to watch it, I dislike shows about terrible people, I’ve seen enough to know it’s not my style and that’s ok).
Eagles are protected by their own special federal law and its even harsher than the MBTA! fws.gov/law/bald-and-g…
Eagles are protected by their own special federal law and its even harsher than the MBTA! fws.gov/law/bald-and-g…