Wildlife Protection

Keeping It Simple: Easy Ways to Help Wildlife Along Roads

Tarp and timing protect bridge swallows

For at least two nesting seasons prior to reconstruction of the US-127 Bridge over St. Joseph Creek in Hillsdale County, Michigan, the swallows had been nesting under the bridge. The following season, to prevent them from nesting there and being disturbed by construction activities, Michigan Department of Transportation crews suspended a plastic tarpaulin from the bridge railing. A wooden "float" allowed the tarp to rest on the water. The tarp deterred the swallows from nesting under the bridge before construction, and activity on and around the bridge kept them off during construction. The swallows are now back, nesting once again under the bridge.

--Apr 25, 2003

Gerri Ayers, (517) 373-2227 or ayersg@michigan.gov

Tarp blocks access to underside of bridge

Photo by Al Westover

Tarp keeps swallows from nesting under the bridge during construction

On or Near Bridges - Michigan