No, it's not a scene from the classic horror film "The Birds," but a rather overly-feathered measure of the success of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 in the town of Willows. For the third consecutive year, the giant, majestic, and once-endangered snowy egret and black-crested night heron have chosen the Memorial Park in the center of town, just 90 miles north of Sacramento, as this year's nesting area. This year there are over 1,000 birds overtaking the park in the center of town that is typically a destination for weddings, picnics, juror lunches near the courthouse, and evening strolls. The aforementioned Treaty Act prevents Glenn County land owners from chasing the birds out of all public and private areas during breeding and nesting, a period lasting from April through September, in spite of residents losing their patience with the noise, feathers, eggshells, and excrement. Yellow police tape encircles the area, prohibiting public access and, inadvertently, disturbance of the bird families. Willows has quickly become a stop for bird-watchers en route to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge only a few miles away and a winter destination for massive migrations of waterfowl, yet mixed-feelings surround these beautiful migratory visitors, as many residents have had enough.
Earlier this year, a proposal to thwart the birds from nesting in town this year stirred adversity, as part of the plan was to cut down the redwood and pine trees where they build homes in the branches. Partly because the birds could roost elsewhere (like surrounding neighbors' yards!) and partly for the sake of the trees, the proposal fell flat. So they resorted to air horns, which were initially a success until the judge couldn't tolerate another minute of it while conducting courtroom proceedings. And so the mess has persisted, chasing away a few members of the community who were tired of the noise, odor, and mess that ensues, consuming all spring and summer months. The city and county plan to take measures in discouraging the birds from setting up shop in the park next year, aiming at pruning the trees in Memorial Park and dismantling this year's nests before the new season. Deputies will fire blasts at dawn and again at dusk, a tactic used to steer birds away from vineyards and airports. Additionally, residents will be encouraged to craft their own noisemakers with the intention of ushering the birds out of town and to a nearby wooded area or eucalyptus thicket. In spite of multiple complaints about feces from concerned citizens, the city has decided not to use public health as a reason to override species protection put in place by legislators.