Respect the Nest

Respect the Nest

WildCare asks you to Respect the Nest this spring and summer!

It’s springtime in the Bay Area, and even as you read this sentence, birds, squirrels and other animals are preparing nests for their newborn and newly-hatched babies in your trees, shrubs and hedges.

WildCare’s Wildlife Hospital admits hundreds of injured and orphaned baby animals every spring and summer, many of them victims of tree-trimming and pruning accidents.

Nests are camouflaged intentionally, and this means baby animals too often become the victims of chainsaws and clippers.

WildCare’s Respect the Nest Campaign helps spread awareness of the vulnerability of baby birds, squirrels and other newborn wildlife during the spring and summer months, and even into the fall. Although the prime nesting months for wildlife vary by region, with some species in the Bay Area nesting in January and February, nest awareness everywhere should begin in March and continue through October.

Spring (and summer!) are busy baby season— procrastinate now!

Robins in knitted nest. Photo by Alison Hermance When is wildlife nesting?

There is some variation, but most wild animals have their first brood of babies in the spring, between March and June. However, especially in warmer climates, animals may actually nest year-round! ALWAYS be nest-aware when pruning and trimming!

Many species will also have a second brood in July or August if food supplies are sufficient, meaning that "baby season" stretches into October in many areas.

As our Respect the Nest graphic states, please be especially nest-aware from March through October!

If you can plan to trim your trees in the winter months (November and December), you can generally avoid the possibility of damaging a nest.

Note that January is probably safe in most areas, but WildCare does often admit our first baby hummingbirds and Eastern Fox Squirrels in January, so be extra cautious!

Winter is also a healthier time for the trees, when the sap has gone down and trees will be in their dormant phase.

Call WildCare at 415-456-7283 if you're unsure when it is a safe time to trim or remove a tree.

Nests are camouflaged intentionally, so they can be missed, even by the most careful inspection. It really is best to avoid trimming and pruning between March and October.

WildCare also asks you to avoid pruning shrubs bushes and hedges during the spring, summer and early fall months because many species nest in them too. However, not all plants want to be pruned in November/December. For some plants you may be removing flowers or fruit. Check with your local gardening experts for guidance on plant species in your yard, but always be nest-aware when pruning!