The Prestige Harbourfront Resort is making sure no baby swallows or eggs are harmed after outraged residents called in the RCMP and BC conservation officers after seeing nests being pressure washed off the building earlier this month.
Sgt. Josh Lockwood of the BC Conservation Service confirmed the hotel was ordered to shut down pressure washing on June 7 after complaints that the nests contained birds and eggs.
“You can’t wash down anything with nesting birds or eggs in it,” said Lockwood, who noted the conservation service has since consulted with the hotel about removing the nests.
Heather Bodnarchuk, general manger of the Prestige hotel, says the hotel has issues with some of the nests doing damage to the building, but are following the conservation services directions.
“We are still going to be doing washing of the building, but the staff are under strict instructions to leave any nest with babies or eggs,” she said. “We do have issues with the swallows, but since we are on a nature reserve, we are very sensitive to that. We are trying our best to ensure our actions are in the best interests of the area and the hotel and business at the same time.”
Lockwood confirms the conservation service has no problem with washing off nests that are not home to hatchlings or eggs.
“The swallows will re-nest elsewhere, no problem,” he said. “We are encouraging the hotel to be proactive, to use netting and to wash down the building frequently which will discourage any nest building before it starts.”
Bodnarchuk says the hotel is cognizant of the natural values of the area and has a program to educate their staff about the area’s environment and wildlife in the Salmon Arm Bay.
“If anyone has suggestions for ways to naturally deter swallows from nesting, I’d be happy to take them under consideration. People should feel free to phone me if they have any questions,” she said.
Lockwood said while the swallows may be a nuisance to some, the bird’s primary food source is mosquitoes.
“Most people find those more of a problem than the birds.”