Due to a migratory bird nest on the GMSD HS Baseball Field infield, the field was placed out of order around June 1st for all use until the birds have moved on, which may take up to 30 days.
While unfortunate for the post season legion and other baseball games, the incident is a protected occurrence under federal law.
More Information:
Killdeer nests are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is illegal to move the eggs or disturb the nest without a federal permit. [1]
Because you are located in Erie, PA, killdeer will actively nest on the ground in open, gravelly areas or parking lots from mid-March through August. If you encounter a nest, it is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to move or disturb the nest without specialized permits. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The eggs are expected to hatch and the field will be completely vacated somewhere between June 25th and June 29th. [1] …..because you first noticed the nest on June 1st, … and eggs require 24 to 28 days of incubation to hatch. The best part about killdeer is that they are precocial—the chicks can run almost immediately after birth and will permanently leave the nest with their parents within 24 hours of hatching to find food. Once they leave, they do not return, meaning the infield will be entirely clear. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]