Sign In
Upcoming Event
Free Newsletter
Coastal bays program: Md. hotel removed protected nests
Coastal bays program: Md. hotel removed protected nests
Listen to this articleOCEAN CITY — The Maryland Coastal Bays Program says 14 migratory bird nests that included 40 gull eggs were illegally removed from a hotel in Ocean City.
Media outlets report that in late May, the manager of the Comfort Inn on the Ocean City boardwalk ordered maintenance staff to remove the nests from the roof. Some eggs were hatching, but coastal bays program spokeswoman Sandi Smith says none of the birds survived.
For all but three species of migratory birds, house sparrows, pigeons and starlings, removal of nests is a federal offense under the Migratory Bird Treaty.
Smith says hotel workers didn’t realize it was illegal to remove the nests.
The Natural Resource Police have ordered hotel officials to appear in court, where they could be ordered to pay a $450 fine.
