Amesbury postpones 4th of July fireworks due to endangered bobolinks
AMESBURY – Fourth of July fireworks were canceled in Amesbury after wildlife agencies noticed several endangered bird nests on the farm used for the celebration.
While the town says their priority is to protect wildlife, neighbors are questioning the decision.
"They're very small, they're black, fast-moving," said Amesbury Communications Director William Donohue.
The endangered bird species of bobolinks have found a temporary home at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury.
"When we went to go mow the field there were some noticeable nesting of birds," said Donohue, who explains the town was prepping the property for Fourth of July guests. They began mowing out a parking lot and a place for fans to sit but mid-mow they were forced to stop.
"We did get to a point where we reached some nesting bobolinks," said Donohue.
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Immediately the town called the experts – Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and Masschusetts Audubon Society. Together, they walked the property looking for the birds.
Eventually, experts determined there were too many bobolinks nests and not enough space to separate fans from fireworks while protecting the feathered friends too.
"To be able to have the fireworks there is always a great thing, it's unfortunate that it had to be postponed," said Donohue.
So despite Amesbury Days organizers getting the OK for Fourth of July fireworks – this year – they won't be happening in town.
"My first reaction was they should have mowed it and we wouldn't have had this problem instead of leaving it overgrown so you can't even use the field. Normally they mow it frequently," said Heather Richards, who's frustrated she's now forced to plan fireworks celebrations elsewhere.
"It's pretty cool that they're nesting there and it's a unique bird but I also feel like it could have been prevented," said Richards.
"We want to protect the environment and the species that live here, it's part of what makes Amesbury special and great," said Donohue.
The Fourth of July fireworks aren't cancelled, they're just being moved to later in the summer. So residents will be able to enjoy this area eventually as soon as those bobolinks are hatched.