CBC New Brunswick, Canada – Jun 5, 2014
The Canadian Wildlife Service is investigating the possible destruction of a woodpecker nest in Lorneville by a utility crew last week.
Destroying an inhabited nest is a violation of the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act, and Craig Smith, head of maritime wildlife enforcement, said it can carry a stiff penalty.
“If the person were charged by indictment, which is a more serious offence, they could be fined up to $1 million or one year imprisonment,” Smith said.
A Saint John Energy crew blocked a hole 10 metres up a utility pole where the woodpecker is thought to have had a nest. The crew say it was empty at the time, but birders disagree.
Merv Cormier says he’s been watching the pileated woodpecker nest for three springs.
“This year, every time I’ve checked there’s been a pileated woodpecker in that hole.”
He showed up one day last week, and found the hole had been filled and covered with tape.
Cormier says the hole may have been empty when it was plugged that afternoon, but that doesn’t mean it had been empty in the morning.
Smith says he wants anyone who may have seen the birds in the Lorneville area to contact the Wildlife Service office in Sackville.
