SAN ANTONIO — An Alamo Heights Neighborhood Association Facebook is warning residents about egrets nesting in the area that are causing problems to homeowners and neighbors from the noise, stench, and damage to vegetation, roofs, and sidewalks caused by their droppings. Surrounding residents are dealing with the presence of egrets as they migrate throughout the area.
A nearby resident of Alamo Heights, Terry Glaser says the noise the birds make is like a screech.
“It’s like being in a crowded room at a party,” he said. "I know there’s a lot of controversy about them but it’s one of those things I don’t know if anything can be done about them.”
Glaser is a resident of the Oak Park- Northwood neighborhood – minutes from Alamo Heights. He's also done volunteer work at the University of the Incarnate Word, working closely with rookeries – similar to nests. He says he's seen egrets here at Brackenridge Park while strolling.
“It’s not like you can put a fence around anything because they can fly right over the top. It’s a challenging issue,” Glaser said.
He adds that they are communal birds and gather in rookeries similar to nurseries – which makes nesting a concern in the community.
“Over here in this area of the zoo. When you’re talking about doing some construction work, that was a controversial issue and they were talking about bringing down some trees. That’s where they were congregating. This area, incarnate word, they move from place to place.”
According to the Alamo Heights Neighborhood Association Facebook if egrets begin to settle in your private property, it is highly encouraged that you make loud sounds or noises, like an airhorn or loud bells to encourage them to relocate. Once egrets start nesting and producing eggs, they are protected under federal law.