Looking for Migratory Bird Treaty Act info

[Guest]

Hello all,

My 13 year old son has completed a self-determined 4-H project about Purple Martins and has been selected to exhibit at the State Fair. The 4-H Natural Resources guidelines are understandably fairly strict and specifically mention the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. I am looking for something similar to http://www.sialis.org/mbta.htm (which was written for bluebirds) about Purple Martins. This would help him defend/explain that it is permitted to manage the housing: handle nestlings/do nest changes/HOSP removal etc when he does his interview with the judge.

I'm sure this info is available, I just seem to miss finding it. Any information specific to Ohio regarding HOSP/starlings would be appreciated as well.

DS4 has done a nice job with this project, I just don't want him to get hammered by a Natural Resources judge who may or may not have knowledge in this area.

Thanks,
Cheryl

[Mhoover]

Here is a link to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/Regul ... intro.html

Good Luck on the presentation.

[TX Rehabber]

Cheryl,

You might want to contact your Regional USFW offices to see if they can help.

The Permits Office # 612-713-5436
Law Enforcement Office # 612-713-5320

If possible, you might ask them if you can conduct a phone interview and record it so nothing is forgotten and you get the correct wording of laws and regulations.

[John Barrow]

Cheryl,

I am not familiar with any written policy concerning monitoring purple martins, but I believe the sialis link you posted from the Bluebird Association is equally applicable to martins. Both are cavity nesting birds that primarily nest in cavities provided by humans; both are monitored fairly extensively by some of their hosts.

Many states, in addition to USFWS, have laws to protect the nests of native species. I received my banding permit through a senior biologist for TX Parks and Wildlife, and we have discussed the legality of nestchecks and other activities undertaken by martin landlords. Much of what we do is technically illegal. But, akin to the *good samaritan* analogy in the sialis link, it is generally conceded by enforcement officials that the intrusions caused by landlords does much more good for the species than harm, and is generally accepted by those officials. I have also read about some practices of landlords that is more invasive and would be more likely subject to enforcement actions.

That said, I would also suggest that your son talk to someone with your state Dept. of Natural Resources to get their input on what he is specifically doing for his project. The state officials might be more open to discussion than the federal officials, and more familiar with activities that landlords perform throughout the area and nation.

Best wishes to your son, and congratulations on his invitation.