About swallow nest, swiftlet, edible bird’s nest

Birds halt the airport roof project: Wildlife experts advise against construction until swallows leave

August 7th, 2006

Tahoe Daily TribuneĀ -Ā Jul 17 3:13 AM
Susan Wood,
The city’s airport woes are not over.

Swallows have decided to take up residence in the rafters of the roof at the Lake Tahoe Airport, delaying the $60,000 replacement job and leaving the job up in the air.

When construction crews hammered on the roof, a few babies fell out of their nests last weekend, prompting Public Works Director John Greenhut to suspend work, City Manager Dave Jinkens said Sunday.

Two babies have died, according to Cheryl Millham of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care - which is now caring for another as of Sunday afternoon.

Jinkens said the city intends to take suggestions this week from the local animal rehabilitation center, but it may not like what it hears. And that’s not the sunny forecast. Millham said the one option is set by federal law.

“You have to leave everything alone until the bird leaves the nest,” she said. “When they hammer, it disturbs the nests.”

Jinkens said he’s pleased Greenhut took quick action - as the city has been under fire for, through safety measures, cutting down about 400 trees on a permit allegedly allowing for a quarter of that taking.

Entry Filed under: Articles