§ 17-1-114. BIRD SANCTUARIES.

(a)

Description. The following area of Baltimore County is hereby designated as a bird sanctuary: beginning at a point on the east side of Smith Avenue at a distance of 807.37+ feet northeasterly from the northeast corner formed by the intersection of Skywood Court and Topwood Court as shown on Plat One "Slywood" recorded among the land records of Baltimore County in Plat Book E.H.K. Jr. No. 45, Folio 114; thence referring the courses of this description to the system of coordinates established in said metropolitan district, the 17 following courses: (1) north 15°45'01" east, 50.49 feet, (2) south 66°19'50" east, 427.77 feet, (3) north 19°26'01" east, 867.48 feet, (4) south 79°58'22" east, 384.64 feet, (5) south 74°23'37" east, 100.55 feet, (6) south 18°33'46" west, 727.75 feet, (7) south 74°15'23" east, 200.45 feet, (8) 335.51 feet by an arc curving to the right with a radius of 159.49 feet, which arc is subtended by a chord bearing south 44°31'15" east, 276.98 feet, (9) south 48°16'41" west, 205.67 feet, (10) south 76°29'21" west, 164.93 feet, (11) south 07°36'54" west, 195.92 feet, (12) south 83°28'31" west, 110.00 feet, (13) south 83°13'31" west, 274.26 feet, (14) south 84°15'24" west, 78.93 feet, (15) north 75°52'32" west, 327.22 feet, (16) north 19°26'01" east, 543.95 feet, (17) north 66°19'50" west, 424.52 feet to the place of beginning, containing 21.0481 acres, more or less, being the property of Doncaster Village Condominium located in the Ninth Election District of Baltimore County.

(b)

Prohibited acts; penalty; exceptions.

(1)

It is unlawful within the area described in (a) to physically abuse, injure or kill in any manner any wild bird or wild fowl, or to rob or destroy any wild bird nests or wild fowl nests. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $100 and not exceeding $500.

(2)

This subsection does not apply to activities in connection with a public works, environmental restoration, or forest management project in the area described in (a).

(c)

Nuisance . If starlings or similar birds are found to be congregating in such numbers in the area described in (a) that they constitute a nuisance or menace to health or property in the opinion of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Department authorities shall meet with representatives of the Maryland Ornothological Society, District III of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, Inc., the Woodbrook-Murray Hill Garden Club, and the Humane Society. If, as a result of the meeting, no satisfactory alternative is found to abate the nuisance, then the birds may be destroyed in such numbers and in such manner as is deemed advisable by the Department under the supervision of the Chief of Police of Baltimore County.

(Bill No. 22-06, § 1, 4-21-2006)