City News

Swallows of the Youth Annex

May 14, 2025, City News

The City of Sebastopol has received many comments recently regarding Swallow nesting on the north wall of the Community Center Youth Annex. The Public Works Department has been working with our biologist to guide us on the appropriate actions and timeframe to perform maintenance so that we can continue to safely co-exist with the presence of Swallows at the Youth Annex. We are adhering to a schedule to limit structural damage to our building as well as limit the unwanted pests or bacteria that could develop in the old nests. These pests and bacteria are potentially harmful to both the birds and humans. It is also important that we continue to evolve with how to best support this delicate species. This includes allowing the Swallows to periodically practice the natural behavior of nest building so it is not a skill that becomes unlearned, and that they too learn how to adapt to our ever-changing environment.

This year, nests were removed in January during the inactive non-nesting season, prior to the Swallows migration back to the Laguna, and while old nests are empty of eggs or chicks. The breeding season for Swallows is between March and September and interference is restricted during that time by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

As the City continues to welcome the Swallows and the benefits they provide, we will be consulting with additional biologists so that we are actively learning from multiple viewpoints.  We are also monitoring the wall of the Youth Annex bi-weekly and are excited to report that we see evidence that the nest building for this season has finally begun.