Contractors Monitor Nesting at Lincoln JAVA Project

By James Ed. Ducey

In active consideration of wildbirds, contractors at a Lincoln project took precautions in tree removal and building demolition activities to avoid any impacts to bird nests.

"Trees were monitored on a regular basis for nests," said Wayne Teten, city of Lincoln coordinator with the Joint Antelope Valley Authority project underway east of downtown and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln city campus. "Two trees with nests were observed and were not removed. The nests may belong to a robin and blue jay."

"The contractor's superintendent and assistant did the investigation," said Teten. "The two specifically looked for nests as opposed to trying to identify birds. Two trees with a nest were temporarily spared and marked with caution tape."

Hawkins Construction is the contractor doing the work for the Army Corps of Engineers.

A subcontractor used a large backhoe to remove the trees, which were then hauled away, during the week of April 30 - May 4.

There were 38 deciduous trees and 19 coniferous trees in an area between Vine and S streets, said Teten.

Two green, leafy trees remaining in the corridor, marked with the yellow tape.

There were also precautions to ensure that no chimney swift nesting would occur in buildings slated for demolition.

The chimneys at the Supply Service Company brick building (2101 R Street) razed on April 9th, a house on R Street, and S street residences torn down in early May, were covered with screen to prevent any access and possible nesting this season, Teton said.

In earlier project work, tree removal was done between Y and Vine Street.

There were 14 deciduous and 2 coniferous trees present, Teten said.

Roadway and channel excavation work are now underway along this section of the project.

The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects bird nests and contents between April 15 and July 15. There is a similar State of Nebraska statute.

- - - - -

On May 23, contractors considered measures to avoid disturbing a small patch of woodlands on the east part of the corridor.

"The Corps of Engineers has asked the contractor to remove debris from the grassy area and not to use or disturb it," said Wayne Teten. "The contractor will also demarcate the area with a couple of laths to avoid future disturbance."

This bit of woods is commonly known as Cushman Woods, for the Cushman Motor Works commemorative sign. There are several bird species that occur, as well as native wildlife.

The removal of the debris was still pending on Memorial Day weekend, when two woodchucks were seen at the construction site.

Update: The debris was removed by June 9, 2007, leaving a grassy area where landscape services has mowed.