Officials at Bluesfest have received permission from Environment and Climate Change Canada to move a Killdeer nest from a cobblestone circle where the main stage is set to be placed.
The permit, issued Tuesday under the migratory birds act, allows festival officials to move the bird to a nearby suitable habitat.
“The relocation will allow the nest to remain and eggs to hatch in the natural environment,” said Amélie Desmarais , a spokesperson from Environment and Climate Change Canada. “In the event of nest abandonment, eggs will be transported to a rehabilitation facility to provide the best probability for survival.”
Caution tape was put in place to protect the nest and the eggs after crews discovered it during initial set-up for the festival last week. The bird has garnered attention from across Canada, and much like a lot of high-profile problems in Ottawa, has its own parody Twitter account.
The festival, one of the biggest of its kind in Canada, is set to begin July 5.