Three bird surveys were done to ensure there were no active nests removed due to site preparation work associated with the Dundee Streetscape Project.
The primary survey occurred on April 9th and 10th, 2013 and was done by an associate of Alfred Benesch and Company for the City of Omaha Public Works Department.
During the visits, the 29 trees marked for removal along North 49th Street, Underwood Avenue and 50th Street were checked to determine if active nests were present.
If a nest was identified, it "was observed for any bird activity inside or around it," according to survey reports provided to the Public Works Department.
Bird nests, similar in size and construction, were noted in five trees. They were "confirmed inactive for multiple reasons such as lack of bird activity around the nest and no birds observed within the nest, especially during the colder temperatures which were present," the first report said.
Species present on the two days of the initial survey, were the House Sparrow, House Finch, Black-capped Chickadee, European Starling, Common Grackle, American Robin and Downy Woodpecker. A singing Northern Cardinal was heard in the vicinity.
Following the visit on the 10th, the survey contractor recommended that the marked trees be removed within a week.
Due to a delay in the removal effort, a third survey was done on April 15th, when 22 of the trees were again surveyed. Only the House Sparrow, Common Grackle and American Robin were observed.
The bird nest survey was done since the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as well as a State of Nebraska statute, prohibit the taking of an active bird nest, eggs or young.