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Preparations for major Canadian music festival Bluesfest – which is held in Ottawa and averages more than 300,000
attendees – have been put on hold upon the discovery of an occupied bird’s nest
on site.
Protected
The
killdeer is a nationally protected species, so organizers are unable to move forward, at risk of disturbing the bird and her four eggs.
Carleton
University Naturalist Michael Runtz told CBC that even a slight displacement could
prompt the mother to abandon her nest.
Due date
The species’ eggs, which in this case lay at the intended site of a main stage, can take up
to 28 days to hatch – while Bluesfest is set to begin next Thursday.
Organizers
are seeking government approval to move the nest, but in the meantime have
hired a security guard to ensure that the protected species remains protected.
