Organizers of Ottawa’s Bluesfest, an 11-day festival headlined by acts like Shawn Mendes and Foo Fighters, are waiting for some birds to spread their tiny wings and fly away.
A pair of killdeer are nesting with four eggs on the spot where the main stage will constructed. Crews need to start work on Tuesday to have it ready in time for the festival’s kick-off on July 5.
The federal agency responsible for the site has cordoned off the area around the nest and has brought in 24-hour security for the bird and her eggs.
But, Mark Monahan of Bluesfest told reporters on Monday that something needs to happen soon.
“Anything that disrupts the schedule has a major effect, so we're taking it very seriously, we are working with our partners to try and resolve it,” he said.
Wildlife officials have said killdeer eggs typically hatch by mid-June and that the baby birds are able to fly shortly after hatching.
Organizers have proposed moving the nest about 50 metres to a protected spot, but experts fear the feathered parents will abandon the eggs.