Each is different, but usually a matter of weeks. (College I'm not sure about.)

I'm thinking 6-8 weeks, but go do that google search! Do you know what kind of birds are nesting?

I thought there is a Law about this... and there is:

< Brush removal, tree trimming, building demolition, or grading activities should occur outside of the nesting season. Birds and active nests are protected from harm or harassment by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and in California by the recently passed California Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2019. Jul 6, 2019 >

Thanks, CA Kate and nancyjane!!

I will have to look up that law. I wish they'd go ahead and tell me when the season is. ... But maybe it changes too much.

I can't see up there well enough to even be sure there are nests - I just suspect. There are these sort of clumpy areas.

It will take me at least that long to make up my mind anyway. There is too much yard stuff happening at once. Or rather, not happening. Eesh.

CA Kate, do you mind sharing, where did you get your quote from? I am just a bit curious now.

I did find an umbrella prohibition against needlessly harming any egg or nest - with which I am sure most people agree. That is Fish & Game code 3503.

But I wasn't seeing the bit about tree-trimming in particular. (Plus the "migratory" thing is tricky, since many birds I think just stay here all the time now. These birds are probably locals! I still don't want to hurt them though.)

Don't worry - I'm not going to do anything now. I am just curious about trimming regulations (as no one I know seems to be aware of them - otoh, maybe they are all just nature-lovers and assume that everyone already knows not to do this ... )

As it turns out, I must stink at online research, bc this information is not easy to find. Maybe I will just call the coastal commission.

Well, I still haven't found the rule about trimming itself, but I did find a reference to a local squabble, during which someone said that the bird breeding and nesting season lasts from January until September. Good enough for me. (Those interested may refer to p. 7 of this: https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2021/4/W17b/w17b-4-2021-report.pdf )

We were just thinking about trimming the sides anyway. This must be why I never get anything done. ; ) Everything turns into a thing. But, I do love birds. Oh well.

I googled it. I remembered there being some sort of law about this when we had our trees pruned for fire season. The (Professional) tree trimmers were very upset when they accidently cut down an Oriol nest (looks like a sock). At least there weren't any eggs in it yet. Still all that work for the poor bird. The trimmers all looked really hard to spot any bird nests before they cut anything because they can get fined.

You don't say where you are in So.Cal. but I don't agree with the idea that <the bird breeding and nesting season lasts from January until September.> Maybe for local birds, but those that Migrate breed in the summer... Robins, Doves, Oriols,and Hummingbirds... at the least.

Thanks, CA Kate! I still haven't found anything that mentioned trimming in a code, but I found some Audobon pages.

This one is from 2009 but I like it, it is very opinionated. Despite the site name, it is an LA County group. I am in Southern California, and learning all this has been really fun.

As it turns out, hummingbirds - which are some of my favorites - don't follow the schedule anyway. So, that's another thing I'll have to remember. (But per my previous comment, apparently so many birds are considered "migratory" that the safe thing to do is just try not to disturb any bird, ever. Which I don't want to do anyhow.)

https://www.watermarin.org/uploads/3/1/1/3/31136899/bird-friendly-tree-trimming-guidelines.pdf

Then there was this one, somewhat similar, for the Bay: https://goldengateaudubon.org/conservation/make-the-city-safe-for-wildlife/tree-care-and-bird-safety/

So I guess I will make a note in the calendar (which I will probably forget to check).

I'm sorry about the oriol nest. That is a giant bummer.

Wait - hummingbirds migrate too? Hunh. Wow I really don't know anything about birds. And I can't tell a robin from an oriol. This is not good! Anyhow thanks again.

Anna Hummingbirds will hang around, but the others mostly migrate. An Oriole has a lot of more Bight Orange than a robin, and are also bigger. It also likes to drink from the Hummingbird feeder and drive the Hummers nuts.

My flock of Orioles grew from one pair to many pairs over the years. I guess they liked my rural property... and the access to the feeder. 😄

OK. Did another google search and came up with this:

"All native birds, their chicks, eggs and active nests are protected by a federal law called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act as well as California State Codes 3503 and 3503.5. In a nutshell, these laws state that it is unlawful to harm, harass, possess or kill a native bird, its eggs, chicks or active nest."

I didn't read these codes, just passing them on.

I was told by my city that even crows who don't migrate are protected. Really should find out what kind of bird if any. If you see frequent action or chirping then the nest is active. Once the chirping stops they are usually done and left the nest. But some birds like Robins have multiple clutches.

Your city or county may have rules on certain birds that are endangered or protected. Some beach communities block off dune areas for plovers etc.

Then you have to factor in when its best to prune that type of tree.

Oh, you're lucky, the orioles sound gorgeous!! I don't think we have any here. I may have seen a robin though - I saw at least one bird recently with more yellow happening than usual. (I also need new glasses.) And only in the last 6 years have I ever seen a real blue bird. They are still very rare here though.

We do have Blue Jays! I tend to look a bit askance, bc they seem a bit aggressive towards the other birds. That has only happened a few times though, so, I should lose my attitude.

I think I've only seen "real" bluebirds 3 times. First time was a male, then the next day a female. Then none for years, and then a few weeks ago, a female. I think. (Again, my eyesight is not 20/20.) They really stand out here. I didn't grow up with them.

Great photo, btw. Ooooh he's pretty!!