Last week, the animal welfare organization Dyrenes right submitted the report to the Troms police district. Someone has filmed what looks like a nest being dropped from the roof of the shopping center in Tromsø. Dyrenes rett believes that the video shows a violation of the Animal Protection Act and the Natural Diversity Act. – It is obvious to us that crutch nests are being swept away here. We also see that the building has been flushed for nests, says manager Jenny Rolness. Both Nordlys and iTromsø have discussed the case. Illegal during the nesting period Krykkja is a red-listed and protected species. According to the Norwegian Environment Agency, unnecessary damage and suffering to the birds and their nests is prohibited during the nesting period. Jenny Rolness, head of the organization Dyrenes rett. Photo: Jenny Rolness – We do not go to a review just because of the crutches’ status as a red-listed species. All birds are protected during the breeding season. It is forbidden to disturb during the nesting season for all birds, says Rolness. news has received confirmation that the Troms police district has received the report. Center manager at Nerstranda, Veronica Evertsen, says that the incident, which has been caught on film, happened in connection with maintenance of the building. They themselves think they have done everything by the book. They have not yet received the formal report from the police. – We are waiting for the police to make contact for further proceedings. Our intentions are to be completely tidy. We are well acquainted with the guidelines from the Norwegian Environment Agency, says the center manager. Illegal during the breeding season Nature conservation advisor in nature conservation organization Birdlife Norway, Martin Eggen, has seen the video. He believes it was right of Dyrene’s right to report the relationship. – Both nests, eggs and chicks are protected by clear legislation. Breeding colonies are preserved throughout the nesting season of the tern. Removing crutch nests during this period is illegal, he says. Facts about the crutch The crutch is approx. 44 cm long and weighs approx. 400 grams. It has lead gray uppersides, black wingtips, a greenish-yellow bill and black legs. The krykkja is a colonial nester that most often nests in steep rock walls, but can also place its nest under bridges and on buildings. The eggs are incubated by both parents for approx. 28 days, and the young leave the nest when they are able to fly at the age of approx. 30 days. Krykkja feeds mainly on small planktonic crustaceans and fish, as well as molluscs and brush worms. The nest is built from soil and clay mixed with plant materials. The species has declined dramatically since the early 1980s. Source: Artsdatabanken.no The egg says that the nesting period starts on 15 March. – The regulations around crutches are very clear. We have established that in a judgment against Hammerfest municipality a short time ago. It says that when the wren has gathered at the nesting site and occupied old nests, then the nesting season is underway. Martin Eggen, nature conservation advisor in the organization Birdlife Norway. Photo: PRIVAT Waited a year for logo change Nerstranda’s center managers say that they postponed maintenance of the facade and changing the logo sign last year. Precisely for the sake of the crutches. Then the terns had nests until the beginning of November. Evertsen says they will not have the entire building painted this year, since crutch colonies have already been established around the building. Veronica Evertsen, center manager at Nerstranda. Photo: Fabian Ubeda – When we paint the building this year, it will of course be in dialogue with the wildlife commission. We follow their recommendations, while not disturbing the crutches, she says. The center manager says they have had colonies of crutches on the shopping center’s facade since 2021. Since then, they have had a dialogue with the game board in Troms to ensure that current guidelines are followed. A crutch flies past the Nerstranda centre’s logo. Photo: Dyrenes rett Evertsen himself has already this year counted 30 critter nests on the building. – On the specific report, you can clearly see where large nests have been established on our building. We haven’t done anything with them at all. Crutch problems in cities Nerstranda is not the only central building in Tromsø that has problems with crutches. Tromsø is one of the cities that, together with the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, among others, have established so-called bird hotels. It is a project where the aim is to get the crutch away from facades. Last year, the bird hotels were a success. This winter, a building was smeared with a gel that will prevent the birds from landing on the ridges. To the birds, this gel looks like flames. The Norwegian Environment Agency does not wish to comment on the specific report or the video. On a general basis, senior advisor Jo Anders Auran confirms that crutch nests have strong protection. The protection applies from before there are eggs in them. Here is a crutch that took in a “bird hotel” in Tromsø last year. Photo: Dan Henrik Klausen/news Auran says that farm owners can be granted exemptions from the legislation for maintenance work. – But exceptions should be granted outside the breeding season. If we can leave these species in peace during the time when they are most vulnerable, then anything can be done. – When the young have left the nest, the nesting season is over. At the end of the summer, painting and measures on the roof and facade can be done, he says. – Setting an example The Animal Rights Center now hopes that the police will start an investigation into Nerstranda centre’s renovation work. – We hope that the police will follow this up and set an example. It is important considering that there are many people who make similar interventions during the breeding season. It is important to signal that this is an offense and that the law must be respected, says Rolness in Dyrenes rett.
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Here, nests are removed from the shopping center – news Troms and Finnmark
