Whomever destroyed swallows nests in Cayucos had better beware not to do it again. The local Audubon Society is hoping to avoid an illegal tragedy that befell the birds last summer and has installed a warning sign in hopes it won’t happen again.
Dave Tyra, president of Morro Coast Audubon Society, said last summer an unidentified work crew washed down the nests of protected barn swallows on the sides of the North Ocean Street bridge over Cayucos Creek, just north of the Vet’s Hall and Pier.
Doing so is big-time illegal. “This action was witnessed by a local resident who brought it to the attention of Morro Coast Audubon Society,” Tyra told The Bay News in an email. “The destruction of active bird nests is a violation of both state and federal law, punishable by a fine of up to $15,000 and 6 months in federal prison, under the Federal Migratory Bird Act.”
Audubon wrote a “letter of concern,” he said, to the Cayucos Citizens Advisory Council and copied it to Dist. 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson.
“MCAS was unable to determine who was responsible for the nest destruction,” he said. The County Public Works Department’s Environmental Division “assured MCAS that SLO Public Works crews have proper training and know not to wash down active nests.” North Ocean Avenue is a County owned road.
Audubon and the County worked together on a warning sign that has been posted on the bridge. It reads:
“ILLEGAL TO TAMPER WITH ACTIVE BIRD NESTS
CA Fish and Game Code 3503”
It is mid February, and the 2016 breeding season is fast approaching! Morro Coast Audubon wants to insure that there is not a repeat of last year’s illegal nest destruction. If anyone sees any action to remove active swallows nests from the bridge, we urge you to call the CalTIP number 1-888-334-CALTIP (888-334-2258) immediately, which will notify a CA Game Warden who can take action. The CALTIP number can be called 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.”
Tyra praised the little, swift-flying birds, which help keep the bugs down, especially in places like the slow-flowing creek.
“Barn Swallows are beautiful, very beneficial birds. They eat the equivalent of their body weight of flying insects on a daily basis and are excellent mosquito control specialists. Lets do all we can to protect them!”